FBI conducts raid on California residence associated with pastor linked to TikTok cult with 7 million followers.
Federal agents executed a coordinated raid on a residence in Tujunga, California, linked to Robert Shinn, the pastor featured prominently in the Netflix docuseries “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.” This operation, conducted by the FBI in conjunction with the El Monte Tactical Team, took place on Friday morning at approximately 7 a.m. The agents arrived armed with multiple search warrants that pertained to serious allegations including sex trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion, and fraud related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the raid, which was captured on video by local news station KTLA, several individuals were seen being detained, although their identities have not been publicly disclosed, and no formal arrests have yet been reported.
Property records indicated that the home situated on the 7700 block of McGroarty Street has multiple owners, including Shinn, who leads the Shekinah Church. Both Shinn and his church were prominently featured in the Netflix series, which explores the experiences of former members and their ties to the 7M Films talent agency.
Founded in 2021, 7M Films was allegedly used by Shinn as a vehicle to attract potential dancers to his church under the guise of transforming them into successful TikTok influencers. Reports from former members suggest that there was a close relationship between the talent agency and the religious group, with Shinn often delivering impassioned sermons that encouraged congregants to sever ties with their families.
Additionally, Shinn has been known to refer to himself as “the Man of God,” asserting that his teachings provide a path to salvation for his followers.
The series has brought increased scrutiny to Shinn and his practices, particularly following a viral moment in February 2022 when former member Melanie Wilking raised alarms regarding her sister, Miranda. Melanie claimed that Miranda was being prevented from reaching out to her family and suggested that she was under the influence of a controlling cult environment. This concern was later echoed by their father, who revealed that Miranda had declined to attend their grandfather’s funeral, alleging that she needed approval from “someone closer to God.”
Miranda responded to these claims by stating that she was not being held against her will and regarded her involvement with the church as a personal faith decision. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to seek clarity on the broader implications of the allegations surrounding Shinn and his organization.
As developments unfold in this high-profile case, the intersection of faith, exploitation, and social media continues to attract significant public attention and concern.
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