KABC
July 25, 2025
Warrants were served at a property tied to Shekinah Church, which was profiled in the documentary "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."
TUJUNGA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Search warrants were served and several people were detained Friday at a Tujunga property tied to Shekinah Church, which was founded by Robert Israel Shinn and was the subject of the documentary "Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult."
As profiled in the 2024 Netflix documentary, the church faced allegations of manipulation, abuse and was accused of being a cult.
Video from the scene showed police speaking into a bullhorn and ordering anyone on the property to "come to the front door with your hands up. We have a search warrant."
Search warrants served at Tujunga property tied to church profiled in '7M TikTok Cult' documentary
The warrants were part of an investigation involving alleged money-laundering and sex trafficking, according to the El Monte Police Department.
According to property records, the address where the warrants were executed is connected to Shekinah Church, some of whose former members have accused Shinn of operating a cult-like business through his talent-management company and his church.
"We've been dreaming about this day," Melanie Lee, who appeared in the documentary, said Friday in an interview. "We've been praying about this day, for the day that -- the beginning of where justice will be served for all the victims -- and to hopefully prevent young people joining organizations like this."
The warrants were served at the property by the IRS. The agency was investigating in collaboration with the FBI and U.S. Postal Service.
The El Monte Police Department said its SWAT team was assisting in the investigation.
AIR7 was over the home where at least seven people could be seen detained. No arrests were announced.
Meanwhile, investigators loaded cartons of possible evidence into an SUV.
Shinn is at the center of multiple lawsuits and has faced allegations of manipulation, abuse and being the leader of a cult.
The documentary includes interviews with former members and family of current members, some who are TikTok dancers signed to 7M Films, a talent management company run by Shinn.
"I hope the families that have been torn apart are able to be reunited and Robert's victims are finally able to get the closure, healing and justice they deserve," Derek Doneen, the director of the Netflix documentary, said in a statement.
Eyewitness News reached out to 7M Films but has not heard back.
abc7.com/amp/post/search-warrants-served-tujunga-property-tied-to-shekinah-church-profiled-in-7m-tiktok-cult-documentary/17290814/
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