A viral stunt that turned a Sandy Springs church into a social media backdrop has ended with one participant in handcuffs. Police say a 20-year-old man was arrested this week after he and several others rushed into the Church of Scientology on Roswell Road as part of a so-called “Scientology speedrunning” challenge. The video, recorded in late April, sparked a criminal investigation that ultimately led to charges against one of the alleged participants and added metro Atlanta to a growing list of cities dealing with the trend.
According to CBS Atlanta, Sandy Springs police said 20-year-old Jackson Sensing and several unidentified males entered the Roswell Road church on April 29 to carry out the “speedrunning” stunt. After investigating the incident, officers arrested Sensing on May 13 and charged him with disorderly conduct. Police also released photos they say show the chaotic run unfolding inside the church and Sensing later in custody.
What police say
The Sandy Springs Police Department used the case as a public warning about internet dares that spill into real life. In a Facebook post, the department cautioned that “while some social media challenges may appear harmless online, unlawfully entering private property can lead to criminal charges and create unnecessary safety concerns for everyone involved,” according to reporting by WSB‑TV. Investigators say their work is not finished and that they are still trying to identify other people visible in the footage. As of now, police have not publicly announced any additional arrests tied to the Sandy Springs incident.
Church response
The Church of Scientology has blasted the so-called runs as trespass and harassment rather than harmless pranks. A church spokesperson told The Associated Press that at least one staff member was injured and needed medical attention during some of the incidents elsewhere, and argued that turning houses of worship into targets for viral content is both unlawful and dangerous. Church officials in other cities have cited property damage and risks to staff as reasons they have tightened security at their buildings.
How the trend spread
The “Scientology speedrunning” challenge started on TikTok and quickly migrated from screens to sidewalks, spreading to Scientology facilities across the country and racking up millions of views. Reporting from the Los Angeles Times describes groups storming into Hollywood Scientology buildings in late April, which prompted the church there to remove exterior door handles and bring in detectives to investigate a large incident as an alleged hate crime. Law enforcement and safety experts have warned that what starts as a clout-chasing prank can quickly shift into criminal trespass, assault or costly civil cases when staff or worshippers are put at risk.
Legal note
Sensing was charged with disorderly conduct, which is a misdemeanor under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 16‑11‑39 defines disorderly conduct to include violent or tumultuous acts or words that tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace, according to the Georgia Code.
Investigators say they are still combing through videos and social media posts to identify everyone involved in the late April run and, as WABE reported, are asking anyone with additional footage to contact the Sandy Springs Police Department. Local officials say the case should serve as a reminder that viral challenges that veer into trespassing can bring real-world criminal and civil consequences, and they are urging residents to report suspicious activity instead of trying to join the next online stunt.
