What started as a viral Netflix documentary has now escalated into a serious federal investigation.
A quiet neighborhood in Tujunga, California, became the scene of a dramatic early-morning raid as authorities zeroed in on a property linked to a man at the center of explosive claims involving religion, social media, and alleged exploitation.
Pastor, TikTok Manager, or Cult Leader?
Robert Shinn isn’t just a pastor — he’s also the founder of Shekinah Church and a talent manager behind 7M Films, a company created to help TikTok stars land brand deals and jobs.
But Shinn’s empire has been under heavy scrutiny ever since Netflix released Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult, a documentary that put his name — and his church — in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The series alleges that Shinn abused and manipulated former members of his church and management company.
Some even accused him of sexual assault, though no criminal charges have been filed against him to date.
Early Morning Raid Catches Neighbors Off Guard
On Friday, the home in Tujunga tied to Shinn was raided by federal agents as part of a broader investigation.
According to KTLA, the warrants were linked to multiple serious allegations, including sex trafficking, tax evasion, mail fraud, money laundering, and even Covid-19 related fraud.
Footage from a news helicopter showed at least six individuals being led out of the house in handcuffs.
The scene was loud and tense — neighbor Jake Hartmann told the Los Angeles Times he heard flash-bang grenades go off just as he was getting ready for work.
“I heard loud bangs and then a voice shouting over a speaker — ‘You need to come out, hands up,’” he said.
Was It All Just a ‘Misunderstanding’?
One man who exited the property later brushed off the entire situation, telling reporters it was “just a misunderstanding.”
As of now, California authorities have not confirmed whether anyone was officially arrested during the raid.
What’s clear, though, is that this wasn’t just a random visit — the investigation appears tied to long-standing accusations against Shinn and his organizations.
The Netflix Series That Pulled Back the Curtain
Dancing for the Devil focused heavily on how Shinn allegedly exerted control over members of his church and company.
It highlighted cases like that of dancer Miranda Derrick, whose family claimed she was brainwashed into cutting ties with them.
Miranda, however, pushed back on those claims.
She called the documentary “one-sided” and took to Instagram to tell her followers she’s “not a victim.”
Shinn’s Legal Pushback and Countersuits
Robert Shinn has remained silent personally, but his management company 7M did not hold back.
They slammed the Netflix series as a “slanderous work of fiction” and promised legal action.
CNN later reported that Shinn filed a defamation lawsuit against several former members, claiming they lied about him and were trying to “cancel” his career.
But those same former members — now defendants in his case — fired back with a countersuit of their own.
In it, they accused Shinn and his wife of serious misconduct, including forced labor, human trafficking, and various forms of abuse.
What Happens Next?
A trial connected to those civil suits is scheduled for October, but it’s still unclear whether this latest raid is directly tied to the ongoing legal battle or the documentary that sparked renewed public interest.
For now, one thing is certain — what started on TikTok and exploded on Netflix has turned into a full-blown federal case, with serious allegations still looming over Robert Shinn and his inner circle.