Influencer and YouTube star Jake Paul was charged Thursday after allegedly participating in looting and riots at a mall in Arizona last weekend.
According to Paul, 23, he traveled to the Scottsdale Fashion Square mall last Saturday to document the scene for his internet channels, but police say he was in the mall illegally, ABC 15 reported.
Paul "was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly and the rioters were ordered to leave the area by police," officials said. Paul had previously said in a statement that neither he nor anyone he was with "was engaged in any looting or vandalism."
"Paul also unlawfully entered and remained inside of the mall when it was closed," officials added.
Paul has been charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing and unlawful assembly. He has not been arrested but was issued a summons to appear in court.
Paul reacted to the news on Twitter.
"Gimme my charges and let's put the focus back on George Floyd and Black Lives Matter," Paul wrote.
According to police, looters and vandals ransacked the mall on May 30, but numerous arrests have already been made and thousands of dollars of merchandise has been recovered.
