MMA icon BJ Penn has been taken into custody following allegations of abusing a family or household member.
The former UFC champion in both the lightweight and welterweight divisions has exhibited a concerning behavioral pattern over time, especially online.
Penn recently posted troubling content on social media platforms, alleging his mother, Lorraine Shin, and other relatives were murdered and replaced by look-alikes attempting to seize his assets and possessions.
The Hawaii native was jailed last Sunday on suspicion of “abuse of family or household member: offensive physical contact”.
According to records, the 46-year-old was released early Monday morning after posting a £1484 ($2000) bail bond.
Penn has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the accusation, though he did share video footage on social media depicting police attempting to arrest him in his bedroom.
In the video, Penn is shown lying in his bed, asking the police why they were attempting to arrest him.
Police officers informed him that he was being arrested for harassment before proceeding to remove him from his room.
A visibly confused Penn repeatedly inquired about the situation but was ultimately escorted out of the residence in handcuffs.
Penn has encountered legal issues multiple times in recent years.
In 2019, a temporary restraining order was filed against him by a former girlfriend who alleged verbal, physical, and sexual abuse throughout their ten-year relationship.
His recent interactions with law enforcement have been frequent enough that during the latest arrest, he reportedly asked the officers, “Can we call an officer that I know?”
It has since been revealed that the impetus for the Hall of Famer`s arrest was a restraining order request filed by his mother.
In the request, which is still awaiting a judge`s decision, Shin stated that for months her son has subjected her to “extreme psychological abuse,” claiming she is not Lorraine Shin.
She quoted him as saying, “I killed his family and have taken over his mother’s identity, and he wants me to be removed from his home.”
Shin suggests that Penn`s behavior, amidst his multiple ongoing legal cases, may stem from Capgras delusion syndrome.
An excerpt from her restraining order application reads: “I believe my son [B.J. Penn] is suffering from Capgras delusional syndrome (a psychiatric disorder where a person believes a friend, spouse, parent, or other close family member has been replaced by an identical imposter).”
She added, “He believes I’m an imposter who has killed his family to gain control of the family assets.”
For her safety, she requested a six-month temporary restraining order from the court and asked that her son be mandated to receive medical treatment or therapy.
Percy Harlow