Social media influencer Jake Parker has been charged with two misdemeanors—criminal trespass and unlawful assembly—following an incident of looting at the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall on May 30. Despite being filmed amid the chaos, the 23-year-old, who boasts over 20 million followers on a popular video platform, insists that he did not engage in any unlawful activities. Instead, he claims his presence was solely to document the events and to participate in peaceful protests in response to the tragic death of George Floyd, who was killed by police officers in Minneapolis on May 25.
Incident Details
Footage from the incident shows Parker inside the closed mall, though it does not capture him actively stealing. At one point, he is seen receiving a bottle of alcohol, allegedly taken from a PF Chang’s restaurant, but the police report indicates it remains uncertain whether he actually took anything. The Scottsdale Police Department noted that they received numerous tips and videos identifying Parker as a participant in the unrest, stating, “Paul was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and was ordered to leave by police.” The report further details that he unlawfully entered the mall after hours.
Legal Proceedings
Sgt. Ben Hoster, a spokesperson for the Scottsdale Police, confirmed that Parker will face the misdemeanor charges during a court appearance scheduled in July. In a recent tweet, he maintained his innocence, asserting, “To be absolutely clear, neither I nor anyone on our group was engaged in any looting or vandalism.” He added that they were merely documenting the unfolding events and the associated brutality. Parker’s brother, Alex, also a well-known social media figure, acknowledged his brother’s presence at the scene but asserted that he did not steal anything, stating, “Should he have been there? Absolutely not. But he didn’t loot.”
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Conclusion
In summary, Jake Parker faces misdemeanor charges related to his presence at a looting incident in Arizona, which he claims was purely for documentary purposes. He denies any involvement in theft or vandalism, while his brother acknowledges the controversy surrounding his attendance.