Dethroned Miss Nevada Apologizes for Racy Photos

Early Thursday, raunchy photographs of Miss Nevada, Katie Rees, surfaced on the Internet, causing quite a stir and sending officials from the Miss USA organization into a frenzy. It was the third scandal of this type in less than a couple of weeks and it was yet unsure what would happen to the young woman who was supposed to represent the state at next year's Miss USA pageant.

At the time the photos hit the net, an attorney for Rees released a press statement, trying to somehow justify the X-rated conduct of the beauty. 'Katie Rees - Miss Nevada USA wants the public to know she was 17 and had a lapse in judgment … the actions on that evening in subject are in no way indicative of the person she is or the person she has become … she is a law-abiding citizen and talented adult. This was an isolated incident that occurred more than five years ago when she was a minor', the lawyer said while doing an interview with 'Extra'.

Later on, the pageant committee met with Donald Trump (the co-owner of the Miss USA and Miss World organizations) and ruled that Katie be stripped of her title and tiara and replaced with runner-up Helen Salas. The decision was reached without allowing Rees to defend herself and that is why she is now pleading for understanding and a 'second chance', just as Miss USA 2006, Tara Conner, was granted last week.

In a public statement, Rees assumed all responsibility for the photos (which show her bearing her breasts, butt cheeks, kissing other women and simulating oral sex on them and a man - you can see them all HERE, but be warned that they are of adult content), all the while insisting that she should not be judged only by them, because they reflect only an isolated incident.

'These images were from an isolated incident during my teenage years, long before my consideration to compete in the Miss USA program. While I take full responsibility for the photographs, this incident does not reflect who I am or who I plan to be. I am so sorry this happened.', she said. At the same time, the former beauty queen warned other girls against the dangers of posing for fun in front of strange people's cameras: 'Please don't let your guard down when it comes to being photographed. As you can see, just one mistake can have great consequences.'

Neither The Donald nor the Miss USA organization responded to her plea. But she and her attorneys are still hopeful that she will be given the second chance she so much deserves. And, in order to appeal for more understanding, Rees posted this on her blog, a quote from Bob Marley: 'Who are you to judge the life i live? I know I 'am not perfect - and I don't have to be, but before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean.'