Who is Robert Shinn? ‘TikTok cult’ pastor detained following raid in LA
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What we know:
FBI agents and the El Monte Tactical Team conducted a raid at a home located in the 7700 block of McGroarty around 6 a.m. July 25. According to authorities, arrest warrants were served for multiple crimes, including money laundering, mail fraud, tax evasion, sex trafficking, and COVID-19 pandemic fraud.
On July 28, law enforcement sources told FOX 11 that five warrants were served at five different properties. Robert Shinn, the pastor of Shekinah Church, was detained at one of the properties. It’s unclear which property he was located on.
Images from SkyFOX during the raid showed at least five people in handcuffs in front of the property.
There is no word on any official arrests.
Dig deeper:
According to legal expert Mary David, Shinn could face multiple charges including sex trafficking, tax evasion, money laundering and mail fraud. The highest penalty would go to the sex trafficking charge that carries a sentence of 15 years to life.
Participants in the docuseries accuse church leader Robert Shinn of labor exploitation and sexual misconduct.
In the documentary, people, including some who were minors, alleged that they were forced to perform for low wages and were cut off from their families. They also alleged that they were forced to overturn parts of their wages to the church. Many said Shinn created a cult-like environment.
“Coercion is especially sinister when it involves a religious leader, which is an element to prove in a trafficking case. If you’re talking about adults and here where you have a religious leader who is almost seen as a connection and gateway to God for victims, that presents an incredibly powerful and persuasive figure for them to then feel like they are potentially risking their salvation or the salvation of others if they don’t do what they say,” David told FOX 11.
Content retrieved from: https://www.foxla.com/news/robert-shinn-shekinah-church-tiktok-cult-raid-la.
