Federal agents descended upon a California home connected to the “TikTok Cult” pastor who was the subject of a recent Netflix documentary series Friday — as part of an investigation into sex trafficking and other criminal claims.
Several people were detained after a Tujunga home partially owned by Pastor Robert Shinn was raided by agents from the FBI, IRS, US Postal Service and Department of Labor, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Officials served warrants related to allegations of sex trafficking, money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion and COVID-19-related fraud, according to the outlet.
The identities of those detained were not immediately clear.
At least six handcuffed people and one woman holding a child were seen in KTLA chopper footage of the raid of the residence, which featured in the Netflix docuseries “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult,” the station reported.
One witness reported hearing flash-bang grenades go off at the start of the 6 a.m. law enforcement operation, according to the LA Times.
Self-proclaimed “man of God” Shinn, who founded Shekinah Church in 1994, helped create 7M Films in 2021, and the LA-based talent management company allegedly lured dancers with promises of turning them into TikTok stars.
Some of those dancers were also conscripted into the Shekinah Church and acted as recruiters for 7M, which they claim is inseparable from the religious organization.
Former members of Shekinah Church who also worked for 7M films alleged Shinn abused and manipulated them, with some even accusing the guru of sexual assault.
Melanie Goldman, a former dancer and parishioner, claimed in the documentary that she saw “half a dozen girls” run into the church “screaming at the top of their lungs,” TV Insider reported.
Other former dancers also claimed that there is no distinction between 7M and the church, with Shinn instructing members in fiery sermons shown in the doc to “die to” their families, or no longer have contact with them.
Dancer Aubrey Fisher, a former 7M and Shekinah member, claimed Shinn forced him to give as much as 70% of his income to the twisted church — including a 10% “man of God fee” for himself, according to the outlet.
Former member Melanie Wilking went viral with a 2022 Instagram plea to try and reach her sister Miranda, who was “no longer in control” of her life.
The siblings had a popular joint TikTok page when they joined 7M and had a falling out when Melanie left over concerns about Shinn’s control over members, according to People, but have since reconciled.
Shinn has previously denied claims that the Shenikah Church and 7M are affiliated, TV Insider reported.
In 2022, he filed a defamation lawsuit against several former church members after they referred to the organization as a cult, CNN reported last year.
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