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YouTuber Jake Paul's home has been raided by the FBI

Photo credit: Paul Morigi - Getty Images
Photo credit: Paul Morigi - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Controversial YouTuber Jake Paul's LA home was yesterday raided by the FBI and firearms were allegedly removed from the property, according to new reports. Sources add that the raid came about due to Paul's arrest in June this year (he has been charged with looting during a Black Lives Matter protest in Arizona), the demonstration was declared a riot by police after the looting began.

Paul, who was not home at the time of the raid, has denied any wrongdoing with regards to his arrest – tweeting, "To be absolutely clear, neither I nor anyone in our group was engaged in any looting or vandalism. For context, we spent the day doing our part to peacefully protest one of the most horrific injustices our country has ever seen."

Unfortunately his run-ins with the law don't end there. He also came under fire in July for throwing a large party at his mansion that broke social distancing guidelines. In 2018, Paul was listed as Forbes' second-highest-earning YouTuber, taking home an estimated $21.5 million.

"The FBI is executing a federal search warrant at a residence in Calabasas in connection with an ongoing investigation," an FBI representative said in a statement, reported by the BBC. "The affidavit in support of the search warrant has been sealed by a judge and I am, therefore, prohibited from commenting as to the nature of the investigation. No arrests are planned."

Photo credit: Hollywood To You/Star Max - Getty Images
Photo credit: Hollywood To You/Star Max - Getty Images

Celebrity news website TMZ posted aerial footage showing what looks like officers carrying guns out of the property and according to the local ABC stations, the weapons include a gun found next to a hot tub.

Following his arrest at the protest-turned-riot (sparked by the death of George Floyd), Paul was charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly. Video footage (shared online) appeared to show him caught up in looting, causing outrage as peaceful protestors condemned him and his actions for taking away from the real purpose of the movement. Many called Paul, who said he was only there to meet fellow protestors, privileged and entitled.

"Our investigation has revealed that Paul was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and the rioters were ordered to leave the area by the police," a statement from the Scottsdale Police Department says. "Paul also unlawfully entered and remained inside of the mall when it was closed. As a result, Paul has been charged with criminal trespass and unlawful assembly."

Earlier this year, Paul was also widely criticised for his comments about anxiety on Twitter, in which he implied mental health issues were self-created. He also had a public falling out with model Gigi Hadid, who called him "irrelevant", after he tweeted about her partner (and the father of her unborn child) Zayn Malik.

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