YOUTUBER Jake Paul faces up to 12 months in jail after being filmed in a mall as it was looted during the George Floyd riots.
The wannabe boxer was filmed in an Arizona mall as it was looted during the George Floyd riots but has previously denied any involvement.
According to American website TMZ, local authorities have pressed charges after federal cops dropped their case against the 24-year-old.
Paul was reportedly charged with two criminal misdemeanours for criminal trespass and unlawful assembly by the city in May 2020.
It’s believed these charges were dropped when the feds launched an investigation but have since been revived after the withdrawal.
Reports suggest the feds couldn’t pursue their case due to a lack of evidence against Paul.
The incident in question is alleged to have happened at Scottsdale shopping centre in May 2020, days after Floyd’s murder.
Paul was filmed among a group of people breaking glass windows and destroying kiosks, although he was NOT seen causing any damage.
Paul denied the allegations in a statement released in May 2020: “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, which led to use being tear-gassed for filming the events and brutality that were unfolding in Arizona.
“We were gassed and forced to keep moving on foot. We filmed everything we saw in an effort to share our experience and bring more attention to the anger felt in every neighbourhood we travelled through; we were strictly documenting, not engaging.
“I do not condone violence, looting, or breaking the law; however, I understand the anger and frustration that led to the destruction we witnessed and while it’s not the answer, it’s important that people see it and collectively figure out how to move forward in a healthy way.
“We are all doing the best we can to be helpful and raise awareness; this is not the time to attack each other, it’s time to join together and evolve.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
