Woman objected to trans sex offender roommate — then she was sent back to prison, legal group says

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FIRST ON FOX: A woman was allegedly sent back to a federal prison after objecting to rooming with a biological male sex offender at a Rhode Island halfway house, according to a public records request obtained by Fox News Digital.

The conservative America First Legal asked the Bureau of Prisons on Monday in a public records request, obtained by Fox News Digital, for information about the re-incarceration of Sarah Cavanaugh, who had been serving out the remainder of her sentence at Houston House, a halfway house in Rhode Island operated by the nonprofit Community Resources for Justice. 

The request raised concerns about whether Bureau of Prisons contractors were complying with President Donald Trump’s day-one directive that agencies make sure biological men are not detained in women's prisons, part of the administration's broader effort to tighten policies surrounding transgender people.

"Men should not share intimate spaces with women; this includes in our federal prisons," Emily Percival, AFL senior counsel, said in a statement. "The BOP has a duty to provide for the safekeeping, care, and protection of federal inmates."

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An activist holds a transgender pride flag. (Alexander Pohl/NurPhoto)

Percival accused the Bureau of Prisons of "[shirking its] duty when it allowed its contractor to send a woman back to prison after she raised concerns with sharing a room with a biological male convicted of a heinous sex crime."

Cavanaugh, who had been sentenced to about six years in prison in 2023 for a stolen valor conviction, was transferred to Houston House by the Bureau of Prisons after the agency determined she was a good candidate for the move. While there, Cavanaugh learned last August that she would be assigned a new roommate named Haley Lynn Rose, according to AFL’s records request. After searching the name online, Cavanaugh discovered the individual was named Anthony Ninfo, a male who pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in 2024.

Cavanaugh raised concerns with staff, expressing discomfort about sharing a room with a man convicted of a sex offense, AFL's filing said. Staff told her to follow up with the facility’s management, but the following day she was instead given an accusatory incident report charging that she had violated conditions of being at the halfway house, according to AFL.

The incident report said, according to AFL, that Cavanaugh created "a hostile environment for the [transgender felon], and [overstepped] boundaries by inquiring about the gender identity, genitalia, charges, and room assignment of another Houston House resident."

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The report stated that "asserting [sic] preferences regarding room assignments is inappropriate."

WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES - JULY 3: Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters building in Washington D.C., United States on July 3, 2023.  (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

As a result of the incident, Cavanaugh's placement at the halfway house was revoked, and she was returned to prison for six months, AFL said.

The legal group wrote in its complaint that the alleged incident was at odds with Trump's executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," which states that only two sexes exist and that inmates must be separated by sex.

The case comes amid ongoing legal challenges from civil rights groups over the implementation of Trump’s order. While some provisions have faced lawsuits, courts have allowed certain aspects affecting prison housing policies to move forward.

President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on March 31, 2026. (Alex Brandon/AP)

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Citing the Freedom of Information Act, AFL asked the Bureau of Prisons for records related to staff interactions with Cavanaugh, the incident report issued to her, actions taken against her, and the Bureau of Prisons’ contractual relationship with Houston House.

The Bureau of Prisons said in a statement to Fox News Digital that it could not provide more information on Cavanaugh because of privacy reasons.

"For privacy, safety, and security reasons, the BOP does not release information regarding the conditions of confinement for any incarcerated individual," a BOP spokesperson said. "However, we can share that the BOP is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all individuals in our population, our employees, and the public. Humane treatment of the men and women in our custody is a top priority. The BOP is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and professionalism in the operation of its facilities."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Houston House and Community Resources for Justice for comment.