'TikTok Cult' pastor's L.A. home searched after sex trafficking warrant served
(KTLA) — Federal and local law enforcement served a search warrant for alleged sex trafficking Friday morning at a Los Angeles home owned by a controversial pastor and subject of the Netflix docuseries "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."
El Monte Police Department officials confirmed to Nexstar's KTLA that authorities served the search warrant around 6 a.m. at a home located in the city's Tujunga neighborhood.
In addition to allegations of sex trafficking, the warrant was also issued for alleged tax evasion, mail fraud, money laundering and COVID-19 pandemic-related accusations, which were not specified by law enforcement.
KTLA's Sky5 chopper was overhead around 6:45 a.m., when FBI personnel were seen investigating the large residence and speaking with people at the scene, including possible victims or witnesses.
At least six people were seen detained with handcuffs, including an older woman who, unlike the other detainees on the ground, was sitting in a chair with her legs under a blanket. Another woman was seen sitting on an outdoor couch, wiping her eyes while clutching a child wrapped in a blanket on her lap.
Police did not immediately say whether anyone was arrested during the service of this warrant.
A property records search for the home listed six current owners, including Robert Shinn, the subject of Netflix’s “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.” A source involved in the series confirmed to KTLA that the property involved in this search warrant was the same property at the center of the series.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Shinn, founder of and pastor for Shekinah Church, also founded a company called 7M Films in 2021 “to help social media stars and TikTok dancers find jobs in L.A.”
The 2024 miniseries examines the story, lawsuits and abusive cult allegations surrounding the Shekinah Church and 7M Films. The media focus was largely brought forth by two different sets of sisters who worked with Shinn: influencers Melanie Wilking and Miranda Derrick (formerly Wilking), and Melanie and Priscylla Lee.
A summary from a 2024 Time article described the series as revealing "claims from multiple former 7M members about how Shinn abused and manipulated them and created a cult-like environment.” No sexual assault charges were brought against him.
Although Shinn did not personally reply to the Netflix series, the L.A. Times noted that his company, 7M, replied through an Instagram post calling the docuseries a “slanderous work of fiction, born from a failed extortion attempt.” The post concluded by saying, “We will continue to pursue all legal remedies available to stop the spread of salacious lies and expect to be fully vindicated in court.”
According to CNN, Shinn filed a defamation suit against several former church members, claiming they made “false statements” referring to his organization as a cult, and that they launched a campaign to “cancel” him. The defendants then joined a cross-complaint with other former church members against Shinn, his wife and others alleging “fraud, forced labor and human trafficking."
In addition, the L.A. Times reported that this countersuit against Shinn alleges “brainwashing, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, manipulation and exploitation.”
The case was scheduled to go to trial on July 7 in Los Angeles, however, the defendants’ attorney group has since confirmed to KTLA that the trial is now set to begin on October 27.
“Regarding the search warrant, we are gratified that the federal government is investigating Robert Shinn and look forward to our clients and his victims receiving the justice they deserve,” stated a partner with Brown Neri Smith & Khan, LLP.
Authorities did not state any connections between Friday’s search warrant operation and the docuseries controversy.
Nidia Becerra, Alexis Lewis, Alberto Mendez and Jennifer Thang contributed to this report.