Federal agents have raided several California properties connected to Robert Shinn, the controversial pastor of Shekinah Church and a central figure in Netflix’s 2024 docuseries Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.
The FBI and local tactical units carried out a coordinated operation at five locations, including a Tujunga home, early on 25th July, as reported by FOX 11.
Shinn was detained but not arrested. Warrants were served for serious allegations, including sex trafficking, tax evasion, money laundering, mail fraud, and pandemic-related fraud.
Shinn and his church are accused by former members of coercive control, including forced labour, financial exploitation, and isolating followers from their families.
In the Netflix series, several participants, some of them minors, claimed they were manipulated into handing over their earnings and working for little or no pay.
Legal expert Mary David said the most serious of the allegations could lead to a prison term of 15 years to life.
She explained: “Coercion is especially sinister when it involves a religious leader... victims feel like they are potentially risking their salvation or the salvation of others if they don't do what they say.”
The federal investigation remains ongoing and formal arrests have been confirmed at this stage.