Another Allegation Against Shangela: New Lawsuit Claims Sexual Assault

NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2025 — Darius Jeremy “DJ” Pierce, known by his drag persona Shangela, is facing a new civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault. The lawsuit, filed Monday in New York Supreme Court, claims that Eric Poff, a production assistant, was assaulted by Pierce in 2017 during the filming of Hurricane Bianca: From Russia With Hate.

Poff, who performs in adult films under the name Dakota Payne, alleges that while out with Pierce in a Manhattan bar, he consumed drinks that he suspects were spiked. Poff’s complaint states that he has no recollection of events following his beverage consumption until he regained a semi-conscious state in a hotel room. He claims he was then anally penetrated without his consent by an unidentified man while Pierce allegedly watched from the corner of the room.

Following this, Poff claims Pierce also sexually assaulted him before transferring money to him via PayPal. Poff is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for pain and suffering.

In a statement to the press, Poff expressed the urgency of addressing such allegations within the LGBTQ community, stating, “Sexual assault is a particularly taboo subject, and protecting those accused is far too common. We cannot ignore the experiences of survivors or allow violence to continue unanswered.”

Poff’s case marks the seventh allegation against Pierce, with previous claims emerging in an investigation published last year. Four of the past cases against Pierce underwent settlements, while Poff’s account shares similarities with other victims’ stories.

Poff initially expressed his allegations through a social media video in September 2024, in which he confronted Pierce publicly, saying, “I know what you did, and you know what you did, and I believe all those boys’ stories.” Pierce reportedly responded, “I’m sorry you feel that way.” A representative for Pierce has yet to provide comment on the latest lawsuit.

Pierce’s legal counsel previously characterized the allegations against him as unsupported and false, maintaining that he has never engaged in nonconsensual sex. Each of the previous claims reported in media has been vehemently denied by him through his representatives.

Following the passage of the NYC Gender Motivated Violence Law, which has afforded survivors of sexual violence nine years to file civil claims, Poff stated that he felt empowered to seek legal recourse. He emphasized, “I will not be deterred by the Defendant’s popularity or potential backlash. Survivors in the LGBTQ community deserve justice.”

The allegations against Pierce have sparked significant media attention and activism within the LGBTQ community, with calls for accountability following a string of accusations that question community safety against sexual violence.