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FBI Raids 7M TikTok Cult in LA: Sex Trafficking & Fraud Allegations
A quiet Tujunga neighborhood was jolted awake on Friday morning as federal and local law enforcement conducted a dramatic raid at a residence tied to Shekinah Church and 7M Films—entities profiled in the 2024 Netflix documentary, Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult. The operation marks a significant escalation in a long-simmering investigation into alleged sex trafficking, financial crimes, and cult-like manipulation within a group that used social media influence as both lure and shield.
The Raid and Its Alleged Targets
Around 6–7 a.m. on July 25, 2025, agents from the FBI, IRS, U.S. Postal Service, U.S. Department of Labor, and the El Monte Tactical Team executed a search warrant at a property in the 7700 block of McGroarty Street. Officers ordered anyone inside to come out with their hands up, then forced entry, deploying flashbangs and ramrods to breach the compound’s iron gate.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing between five and seven individuals detained, including at least one elderly woman and another woman with a child. Investigators were observed loading boxes of potential evidence into vehicles. There were no reported injuries or gunfire during the action.
Focus on “TikTok Cult” and Its Allegations
The targeted property is linked to Robert Shinn, founder of Shekinah Church and 7M Films. Both have been central to shocking claims of emotional, psychological, and financial abuse documented in the Netflix series released in May 2024. The docuseries alleges that Shinn recruited talented young dancers via promises of stardom and social media management, only to exert cult-like control, coercing members to surrender wages and sever family ties. Multiple civil lawsuits allege manipulation, sexual and physical abuse, and financial exploitation under the guise of religious devotion and professional advancement.
Law enforcement confirmed that Friday’s warrants covered a wide net of possible crimes: sex trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion, mail fraud, and COVID-related fraud, among others. Some of these allegations echo previous findings, including judgments against Shinn from labor commissioners who found that followers were made to work full-time for paltry stipends under religious pretenses.
Community Shock and Vindication for Former Members
For Tujunga residents, the operation was a shocking disruption in an otherwise tranquil area. Neighbors described the scene as “creepy” and deeply out of character for the family-oriented neighborhood. For former members like Melanie Lee, who joined Shekinah Church as a teenager and has since become an outspoken critic, the raid represents long-awaited vindication. “We’ve been dreaming about this day … it’s the beginning of where justice will be served for all the victims,” Lee said in an interview. She, along with others profiled in the Netflix docuseries, have campaigned for years to prompt law enforcement investigation, alleging abuse and cult tactics by Shinn.
Ongoing Investigation and Secrecy
Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific evidence obtained or whether any arrests have been officially made—the search warrant remains sealed. However, the high-profile nature of the case, compounded by extensive media and documentary coverage, suggests that more revelations and possibly further legal action could follow soon.
Broader Implications
The saga reveals a disturbing side of social media fame and the entertainment industry, where religious authority and the promise of online stardom allegedly became vehicles for exploitation. The ongoing investigation underscores the depth of community and law enforcement concern, as well as the power of survivor stories in fueling accountability—even after years of institutional inertia.
Note: All details reflect information available as of July 27, 2025.