Social media erupted Wednesday morning as footage obtained by TMZ showed federal agents in “armored trucks” swarming Paul’s home in Calabasas.
Surely Jake Paul would of had to do something extremely serious for this fucking mini Army to roll up to his mansion, doubt this is over a party lol pic.twitter.com/fd8mabwNTT
— Kavos (@KavosYT) August 5, 2020
Authorities were later seen emerging from the YouTube star’s home with what appears to be several rifles.
Jake Paul’s home loaded with weapons, according to video from ABC7. Several firearms were seized during the FBI raid on Jake’s mansion this morning. A small militia was at Jake’s home, according to TMZ. What are your thoughts? pic.twitter.com/cDhBdcTocW
— Def Noodles (@defnoodles) August 5, 2020
"The FBI is investigating allegations of criminal acts surrounding the incident at Scottsdale Fashion Square in May 2020," an FBI spokesperson said in a statement obtained by ABC 7.
The raid began at 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to USA Today. No arrests were made.
The FBI spokesperson also revealed to ABC 7 that a related search warrant was also executed in Las Vegas. TMZ also received footage of agents raiding the Vegas-based Graffiti Mansion, which is reportedly owned by Paul’s friend and fellow YouTuber Armani Izadi.
UPDATE: TMZ is reporting that the FBI also raided the Vegas Graffiti mansion and took someone in custody.
— DEXERTO.COM (@Dexerto) August 5, 2020
The home is owned by one of Jake Paul's friends. pic.twitter.com/RIZYD0Bmeu
This federal investigation comes alongside a decision by Arizona’s Scottsdale Police Department to drop misdemeanor charges against Paul, Izadi and Andrew Leon.
The three were charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly after several businesses inside Scottsdale Fashion Square mall were trashed and looted in the wake of demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, Arizona station KTAR News reported.
Videos posted to social media at the time showed Paul and others at the mall referenced by FBI agents.
Be advised, the footage below contains language that some audiences may find offensive.
YouTube star Jake Paul and his friends were caught “looting” and trashing property in a Scottsdale mall last night amid protests pic.twitter.com/KyrE87TvA9
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) May 31, 2020
“The Scottsdale Police Department and Scottsdale City Attorney’s Office are coordinating with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and the FBI to ensure that justice is served regarding criminal acts at Scottsdale Fashion Square on May 30, 2020,” Scottsdale Police Department Public Information Officer Kevin Watts said in a Wednesday email to Phoenix, Arizona, newspaper the Daily Independent.
“It has been decided that in the cases charging Jake Paul, Arman Izadi and Andrew Leon it is in the best interest of the community to dismiss misdemeanor charges without prejudice so that a federal criminal investigation can be completed.”
Richard Schonfeld, Paul’s attorney, told the Associated Press that he and his client have received word of the search warrant being executed at Paul’s home.
“We are still gathering information and will cooperate with the investigation,” he said, noting that Paul was “out-of-state” during the early-morning raid.
