4 People, Who Call Themselves 'Cutthroat Cowboys,' Charged After Allegedly Riding Horses in Walmart
According to reports from local outlets WAFB, WBRZ and the Baton Rouge-based newspaper The Advocate, three adult men and one minor were arrested after turning themselves in to police on Friday, April 11. Their arrests came after a social media video of the four riding their horses through a Walmart in Baker — located about 11 miles north of Baton Rouge — went viral.
Baker Police Chief Carl Dunn told the outlets that Brendon Bridgewater, 24, Patrick Derozan, 22, and Mason Webb, 18, turned themselves in and were charged with misdemeanor counts of entering and remaining after forbidden, disturbing the peace and "unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity" — a state offense which stops anyone from posting videos or photos on a public forum for attention.
A fourth horseback rider, a 16-year-old boy, also turned himself in and now faces the same charges.
Baker police seeking to ID horse riders who paraded through Walmarthttps://t.co/e3TVsxEqFH pic.twitter.com/BrUgSVljbv
— WBRZ News (@WBRZ) April 9, 2025
Several videos posted on social media platforms, including TikTok, X and Facebook, show four horseback riders trotting down the aisle at the Baker Walmart, located on Groom Road.
Bystanders can be heard saying, "What the f---?" and one person, who appeared to be a Walmart employee, laughed, before suggesting that someone call the police because the group was "gonna scare the s--- out of somebody."
Other footage posted on TikTok appeared to be taken from the perspective of one of the riders, as Big & Rich's 2004 song "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" played.
Dunn told the Advocate that the group's actions "might be fun to them at the time, but you know, this could've been real bad for other citizens."
"We've got to always think of others before we act," he added.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Webb later spoke to WBRZ for an interview, in which he called himself and his friends the "cutthroat cowboys." He said the group didn't intend to hurt anyone with the stunt.
"It was fun, we were famous. That's all," he said.
As the outlet asked about the viral social media clips," Webb explained, "We didn't wanna hurt nobody or nothing. We always ride to Baker, and we just wanted to do it that day."
After someone off-camera pointed out that there's a discussion around bringing dogs inside stores such as Walmart, Webb agreed, adding that his horse is his "emotional support animal."
Entering and remaining after forbidden and unlawful post of criminal activity each carry a potential fine of $500, a maximum prison sentence of six months, or both. Disturbing the peace carries a maximum sentence of 90 days or a $100 fine in Louisiana.
Read the original article on People

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sex trafficking warrant served at L.A. home owned by alleged ‘TikTok Cult' pastor
A large operation was seen unfolding in Tujunga on Friday morning when federal and local law enforcement served a search warrant for alleged sex trafficking at a home owned by a controversial pastor and subject of the Netflix docuseries 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.' El Monte Police Department officials confirmed to KTLA that authorities served the search warrant around 6 a.m. at a home located at 7744 McGroarty St. In addition to sex trafficking, the warrant was also issued for allegations of tax evasion, mail fraud, money laundering and COVID-19 pandemic-related accusations, which were not specified by law enforcement. Sky5 was overhead around 6:45 a.m., when FBI personnel were seen investigating the large residence and speaking with people at the scene, including possible victims or witnesses. At least six people were seen detained with handcuffs, including an older woman who, unlike the other detainees on the ground, was sitting in a chair with her legs covered under a blanket. Another woman was seen sitting on an outdoor couch, wiping her eyes while clutching a child wrapped in a blanket on her lap. Police did not immediately say whether anyone was arrested during the service of this warrant. A property records search for the home listed six current owners, including Robert Shinn, who was the subject of Netflix's 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult.' A source involved in the series confirmed to KTLA that the property involved in this search warrant was the same property at the center of the series. The Los Angeles Times reported that Shinn, founder of and pastor for Shekinah Church, also founded a company called 7M Films in 2021 'to help social media stars and TikTok dancers find jobs in L.A.' The 2024 miniseries examines the story, lawsuits and abusive cult allegations surrounding the Shekinah Church and 7M Films. The media focus was largely brought forth by two different sets of sisters who worked with Shinn: influencers Melanie Wilking and Miranda Derrick (formerly Wilking), and Melanie and Priscylla Lee. A summary from a 2024 Time article described the series as revealing 'claims from multiple former 7M members about how Shinn abused and manipulated them and created a cult-like environment.' No sexual assault charges were brought against him. Although Shinn did not personally reply to the Netflix series, the L.A. Times noted that his company, 7M, replied through an Instagram post calling the docuseries a 'slanderous work of fiction, born from a failed extortion attempt.' The post concluded by saying, 'We will continue to pursue all legal remedies available to stop the spread of salacious lies and expect to be fully vindicated in court.' According to CNN, Shinn filed a defamation suit against several former church members, claiming they made 'false statements' referring to his organization as a cult, and that they launched a campaign to 'cancel' him. The defendants then joined a cross-complaint with other former church members, claiming Shinn, his wife and others of 'fraud, forced labor and human trafficking, as well as Robert of sexual battery.' In addition, the L.A. Times reported that this countersuit against Shinn alleges 'brainwashing, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, manipulation and exploitation.' The case was scheduled to go to trial on July 7 in Los Angeles, however, the defendants' attorney group has since confirmed to KTLA that the trial is now set to begin on October 27. 'Regarding the search warrant, we are gratified that the federal government is investigating Robert Shinn and look forward to our clients and his victims receiving the justice they deserve,' stated a partner with Brown Neri Smith & Khan, LLP. Authorities did not state any connections between Friday's search warrant operation and the docuseries controversy. Nidia Becerra, Alexis Lewis, Alberto Mendez and Jennifer Thang contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword


Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Feds raid Tujunga home of ‘TikTok Cult' pastor in sex trafficking, fraud investigation
A home linked to a pastor featured in the Netflix docuseries 'Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult' was raided Friday by federal agents in relation to an investigation into sex trafficking, money laundering and other accusations, according to authorities. Property records show the home in the 7700 block of McGroarty Street in Tujunga is linked to multiple owners, including Matthew Shinn, pastor of the Shekinah Church and the subject of a 2024 docuseries. He operates a talent agency that purportedly helps social media stars and TikTok dancers find jobs in Los Angeles. Those featured in the docuseries call Shinn an abusive cult leader. They say he kept them away from their families by telling them that in order to be saved, they had to 'die' to their loved ones who did not follow his teachings. He reportedly told them that if they were 'godly' enough, they would also save their families from damnation. On Friday, agents with the U.S. Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Dept. of Labor served a warrant at the home around 6 a.m., according to the El Monte Police Department, which provided assistance along with the FBI. The search was related to allegations of sex trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion and COVID pandemic-era related fraud. SWAT officers were at the scene to assist, according to the El Monte Police Department. Postal Inspector Patricia Mendoza said in a prepared statement that officials will provide more details as the investigation progresses. 'U.S. Postal Inspection Service is working closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners on this ongoing investigation. This remains an active case, and we are continuing to gather and review information,' Mendoza said in a statement. Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation say the federal warrant is connected with the alleged cult featured in the Netflix docuseries but details from the investigation remain under seal in federal court. News footage from KTLA showed several handcuffed people outside the residence, but sources familiar with the investigation say there have not yet been any arrests. It was not immediately clear if Shinn had any legal representation. The docuseries follows former Shekinah Church members who worked with the 7M Films talent agency, which was founded by Shinn in 2021. The series reveals that the dancers who were represented by talent agency started as social media collaborators who frequently posted dance videos together on TikTok, but that group found themselves attending Bible study with Shinn. Those dancers invited friends to join what eventually became the core group of the alleged cult. Shinn reportedly called himself 'the Man of God' and said his teachings would grant his followers salvation. Los Angeles Times staff writers Brittny Mejia and Kimberly Aguirre contributed to this report.


New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Royal Caribbean crew member stabbed female coworker before his fatal plunge near Bahamas: police
The Royal Caribbean crew member who died after going overboard Thursday allegedly stabbed a female colleague before his fatal plunge near the Bahamas, police said. The 35-year-old man – whose identity has not been released – is accused of knifing the 28-year-old woman multiple times in her upper body aboard the Icon of the Seas around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nassau Police said in a statement on X. He then fled and jumped into the ocean, where he was later found unresponsive. 3 The Royal Caribbean crew member who died after going overboard was discovered to have stabbed a female coworker before his fatal plunge. Chris Gordon/MEGA for NY Post. The victim was treated and is in stable condition, police said. Grim footage circulating on social media showed rescue crews pulling his body from the water about 30 minutes later, Cruise Hive reported. The cruise was nearing the end of its seven-day voyage through the Caribbean at the time of the incident, according to an itinerary. The ship is scheduled to dock, as planned, in Miami on Saturday. 3 The stabbing victim was treated and remains in stable condition. TikTok/@olivegardn050/@nickdestefano29 3 Footage of the crew rescuing a person who went overboard on the Icon of the Seas. TikTok/@olivegardn050/@nickdestefano29 The shocking assault remains under investigation. Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.