Two Criminal Investigations Against Robert Shinn for Sexual Battery Allegations: A Look into the Ongoing Controversy Surrounding Shekinah Church Founder

Los Angeles, California United States of America
Another case was submitted to the L.A. City Attorney's Office but was rejected due to insufficient evidence and a significant delay in reporting.
Communication between the sisters has ceased since the release of 'Dancing for the Devil' on May 29, 2023.
Helen Shinn, Robert Shinn's wife, denies the sisters' accusations and claims they are attempting to extort her husband.
Miranda was cut out of her sister Melanie Wilking's life after she became involved with a group of Los Angeles dancers represented by 7M Films.
One of the cases was filed by former 7M member Kylie Douglas, whose story was featured in Netflix's 'Dancing for the Devil'.
Robert Shinn is currently facing a civil lawsuit filed by former members Priscylla Leigh and Melanie Lee, accusing him of fraud, sexual abuse, and forced labor. The trial is scheduled for July 2025.
Robert Shinn is the founder of Shekinah Church in Los Angeles and later started talent agency 7M Films Inc. in 2021.
Shinn has also filed a defamation suit against the sisters in 2022 over allegations that he referred to Shekinah as a cult on social media.
The docuseries 'Dancing for the Devil' focuses on TikTok star Miranda Derrick and her involvement with Shinn's church and management label.
The LAPD conducted an investigation into Kylie Douglas' case, which eventually landed at the L.A. City Attorney's Office.
Two criminal investigations were initiated against Robert Shinn for sexual battery allegations in August 2023.
Two Criminal Investigations Against Robert Shinn for Sexual Battery Allegations: A Look into the Ongoing Controversy Surrounding Shekinah Church Founder

Title: The Alleged Villain of 'Dancing for the Devil' and the Criminal Investigations Against Him

In August 2023, two criminal investigations were initiated against Robert Shinn for sexual battery allegations. These cases were reported to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) by some of his accusers who had gone to authorities.

One of the cases was filed by former 7M member Kylie Douglas, whose story was featured in Netflix's 'Dancing for the Devil.' The LAPD conducted an investigation into this case, and it eventually landed at the L.A. City Attorney's Office.

Another case was also submitted to the L.A. City Attorney's Office last August, but both cases were rejected in April 2024 due to insufficient evidence and a significant delay in reporting.

Despite these allegations, Robert Shinn has denied all accusations made against him in the Netflix docuseries.

Background: Who is Robert Shinn?

Robert Shinn is the founder of Shekinah Church in Los Angeles, which later started talent agency 7M Films Inc. in 2021. The docuseries 'Dancing for the Devil' focuses on TikTok star Miranda Derrick and her involvement with Shinn's church and management label.

Miranda was cut out of her sister Melanie Wilking's life after she became involved with a group of Los Angeles dancers represented by 7M Films. Communication between the sisters has ceased since the release of 'Dancing for the Devil' on May 29, 2023.

Ongoing Litigation: Lawsuits and Counter-Suits

Robert Shinn is currently facing a civil lawsuit filed by former members Priscylla Leigh and Melanie Lee, accusing him of fraud, sexual abuse, and forced labor. The trial is scheduled for July 2025.

Shinn has also filed a defamation suit against the sisters in 2022 over allegations that he referred to Shekinah as a cult on social media.

Netflix's Role: Providing a Platform for False Narratives?

Helen Shinn, Robert Shinn's wife, denies the sisters' accusations and claims they are attempting to extort her husband. She also accuses Netflix of recklessly providing a platform to peddle false narratives that are at the center of ongoing litigation.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • Are there any other ongoing investigations or lawsuits against Robert Shinn?
  • Can the LAPD provide more information on the investigation into Kylie Douglas' case?
  • Is Netflix directly involved in the ongoing litigation between Robert Shinn and his accusers?

Sources

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

'Dancing for the Devil' Alleged Villain Was Investigated by Cops, Cases Closed

TMZ Sports Description TMZ Staff Monday, 10 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Two criminal investigations were conducted against Robert Shinn for sexual battery allegations in August 2023.
    • Both cases were submitted to the L.A. City Attorney’s Office, but insufficient evidence and significant delay in reporting led to their rejection in April 2024.
    • Robert Shinn has denied all allegations made against him in the Netflix doc ‘Dancing for the Devil.'
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

What happened to Robert Shinn, the pastor who's the focus of Netflix's 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult'

Business Insider Eammon Jacobs Monday, 10 June 2024 11:00
  • Unique Points
    • Robert Shinn is the focus of Netflix’s docuseries ‘Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult’.
    • Shinn founded Shekinah Church in Los Angeles in 1994 and later started talent agency 7M Films Inc. in 2021.
    • Former Shekinah members claimed Shinn used isolation and intimidation tactics to keep them in line and had access to their bank accounts.
    • Shinn is facing a civil lawsuit filed by former members Priscylla Leigh and Melanie Lee, accusing him of fraud, sexual abuse, and forced labor. The trial is scheduled for July 2025.
    • Shinn filed a defamation suit against the sisters in 2022 over allegations that he referred to Shekinah as a cult on social media.
    • The case involves ongoing litigation and Netflix provided a platform for false narratives, according to Helen Shinn, Shinn’s wife.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (70%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position. The author quotes former members of the church making allegations against Robert Shinn, but does not provide any context or counter-argument from Shinn or his representatives. The article also implies that Shinn is a cult leader without providing any evidence to back up this claim.
    • The Netflix docuseries mainly focuses on TikTok star Miranda Derrick, whose family became concerned about her involvement with Shinn’s church, believing she cut ties with them because of his teachings.
    • Netflix recklessly provided a global platform to peddle a false narrative that is at the center of ongoing litigation.
    • Former Shekinah members told Business Insider that Shinn ‘brainwashed’ them. They claimed that he used isolation and intimidation tactics to keep them in line and that he also had access to their bank accounts to control their income.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Melanie Wilking Tried Contacting Miranda Derrick After Dancing for the Devil Came Out: ‘I’ve Never Lost Hope’

Glamour Magazine Emily Tannenbaum Thursday, 06 June 2024 12:54
  • Unique Points
    • Melanie was cut out of Miranda’s life after she became involved with a group of Los Angeles dancers represented by 7M Films.
    • Communication between Melanie and Miranda has ceased since the release of Dancing for the Devil on May 29, 2023.
  • Accuracy
    • Miranda reestablished contact with the Wilkings under the condition that they stop discussing Shinn and his church.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

61%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

"Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult": Six damaging discoveries in the Netflix series

Salon Media Group Saturday, 08 June 2024 14:00
  • Unique Points
    • The docuseries
    • Robert Shinn is the focus of Netflix’s docuseries
    • Shinn founded Shekinah Church in Los Angeles in 1994 and later started talent agency 7M Films Inc. in 2021.
    • Former Shekinah members claimed Shinn used isolation and intimidation tactics to keep them in line and had access to their bank accounts.
    • Miranda was cut out of Miranda’s life after she became involved with a group of Los Angeles dancers represented by 7M Films.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of the alleged cult and does not provide any counter-arguments or context. The author also uses emotional manipulation by describing the experiences of former members in a sensationalist way to elicit an emotional response from readers.
    • Former 7M dancers said in the docuseries that Shinn used his talent company to help lure vulnerable dancers who wanted to make it in the entertainment industry to Shinn’s advantage.
    • Miranda refused to come home and lied about having COVID-19 so she would not have to see her family and go to her grandfather’s funeral.
    • The docuseries gives audiences a peek into an alleged cult's exploitation, sexual and financial abuse of dancers
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains several instances of appeals to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. The author uses the term 'allegedly' multiple times when describing the actions of Robert Shinn and his church, indicating a lack of concrete evidence. However, there are no clear examples of formal logical fallacies in the text.
    • ][The docuseries] reported that Shinn started 7M Films in 2021 when his son, videographer Isaiah Shinn, began working with dancers like Derrick and Miranda to create content for TikTok and YouTube.[/
    • Former 7M dancers said in the docuseries that Shinn used his talent company to help lure vulnerable dancers who wanted to make it in the entertainment industry to Shinn’s advantage.
    • The family’s concerns grew, which led to a bombshell Instagram Live in which the family accused Shinn for allegedly running a cult masquerading as a business and church.
  • Bias (0%)
    The article from Salon.com exhibits religious bias as it reports on the alleged abuses and manipulation by a pastor named Robert Shinn within his church Shekinah and talent management company 7M. The author uses language that depicts Shinn as an extreme figure who wields control over vulnerable individuals through religion, leading them to cut off ties with their families and financially exploit them.
    • 7M dancers recounted in the series that the management company took advantage of their finances. They explained the breakdown of the fees deducted from their paychecks: 20% went to management at 7M, 10% would go to tithe for church, 10% to the man of God (which was Shinn) and 10% to an offering.
      • In interviews with former members and in court documents, allegations have been made that Shinn used his position as a pastor and leader of Shekinah Church to manipulate people into giving him control over their lives, finances, and relationships. Some former members claim they were forced to live in communal housing arrangements where they were subjected to strict rules and punishments for disobeying Shinn's orders.
        • Miranda’s family said they knew ‘she’s gone’ in that moment. She even got engaged and married to Derrick without telling her family. The family's concerns grew, which led to a bombshell Instagram Live in which the family accused Shinn for allegedly running a cult masquerading as a business and church.
          • One of the troubling revelations in the docuseries was the deterioration in what was portrayed as a close sibling bond between dancers Melanie and Miranda because of alleged religious and controlling influences on Miranda. As Miranda grew closer to Shekinah church, her sister Melanie experienced some of the alleged indoctrination that members of 7M and the church said Shinn had used on people.
            • The docuseries reported that Shinn started 7M Films in 2021 when his son, videographer Isaiah Shinn, began working with dancers like Derrick and Miranda to create content for TikTok and YouTube. Former 7M dancers said in the docuseries that Shinn used his talent company to help lure vulnerable dancers who wanted to make it in the entertainment industry to his advantage.
              • The lawsuit also includes accusations of sexual battery against Shinn by multiple women who were part of the church or talent management company.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication