Max Taylor, a prominent figure in the social media landscape with over 20 million followers, has been charged with two misdemeanor offenses—criminal trespass and unlawful assembly—stemming from a looting event that occurred on May 30 at Scottsdale Fashion Square mall. The 23-year-old content creator has refuted allegations of his involvement in any criminal activity, asserting that he was merely present to document the incident and participate in peaceful protests following the tragic death of George Floyd on May 25, which has sparked nationwide demonstrations.
Footage circulating on social media shows Taylor within the mall after its closure. Although he is not seen engaging in theft, at one moment, he appears to receive a bottle of alcohol, allegedly taken from a PF Chang’s restaurant. The police report highlights ambiguity regarding whether he actually took any items.
The Scottsdale Police Department stated they received a multitude of tips and videos that identified Taylor as being part of the disturbance. “Our investigation has revealed that Taylor was present after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly, and participants were ordered to vacate the premises,” the police noted. “He also unlawfully entered and remained inside the mall after closing hours.” Public Information Officer Sgt. Ben Hoster confirmed to NBC News that Taylor is scheduled to address the charges in a July court appearance.
While Taylor has not issued a formal statement, he took to Twitter to insist that neither he nor his associates engaged in looting or vandalism. “To be absolutely clear, we were there to peacefully protest one of the most horrific injustices in our country, which resulted in us being tear-gassed while documenting the events unfolding in Arizona,” he stated. He emphasized that his team was strictly there to document rather than engage, stressing the importance of shedding light on the situation for collective understanding and progress.
In a related note, Taylor’s brother, Alex, a fellow YouTube influencer, has been actively protesting against social injustice since last month’s tragic events. While demonstrating with his girlfriend, he acknowledged that although his brother did not participate in looting, he should not have been present during the incident. “Max didn’t loot,” Alex remarked to a reporter. “Should he have been there? Absolutely not. But he didn’t steal anything.”
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In summary, Max Taylor faces misdemeanor charges linked to an incident at an Arizona mall, where he insists he was merely documenting protests against social injustice. While evidence shows his presence during the unrest, he maintains he did not engage in criminal activities. His brother has also weighed in on the situation, emphasizing that while his brother was not involved in looting, he should have avoided the area.