BJ Penn, a former professional mixed martial arts fighter, grew up training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with his three brothers in Hawaii. He is a 5th-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).
He was arrested on a charge of abuse of a family or household member on Sunday, May 26, 2025, and released on $2,000 bail shortly before 2 AM on Monday.
Highlights
- BJ Penn’s father named three of his four sons “Jay Dee Penn,” leading to a unique naming tradition within the family.
- His father arranged for the Penn brothers to learn the basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from a neighbor.
- BJ alleged that his family had been murdered and replaced by imposters, leading to a restraining order from his mother, who believes he suffers from Capgras delusion.
Former UFC champion BJ Penn was arrested in Hilo, Hawaii, over the weekend following a strange altercation with police.
According to Hawaii Police Department records, he was taken into custody Sunday night at around 9:40 PM.
He was released hours later on $2,000 bail at 1:48 AM Monday and was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Penn posted footage of the arrest on Instagram, showing him arguing with officers before being handcuffed.
How can I be under arrest for harassment? This is my house. I just went to go grab the mail. Can we call an officer I know that can talk to you guys? Why am I being arrested again? What kind of harassment? What does harassment mean?
BJ Penn
The former MMA fighter denied any wrongdoing in the caption on Instagram.
In Hawaii, “impostor theft” refers to instances where individuals falsely impersonate others, often to steal their identity or commit fraudulent acts. This can involve using a fake identity to obtain documents, financial accounts, or even posing as law enforcement or other professionals to commit crimes.
BJ Penn
The arrest comes just a month after Penn made alarming claims on social media that his family had been murdered and replaced with imposters.
His recent behavior has raised concerns among fans about his well-being.
BJ Penn Is The Second Youngest Of Four Siblings
Jay Dee “B.J.” Penn III, the son of Jay Dee Penn and Loraine Shin, was born on December 13, 1978, in Kailua, Hawaii. His parents raised him alongside his three brothers.
His father was of Irish American descent, and his mother is of Korean and Hawaiian descent. Sadly, his father passed away following Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Interestingly, Jay Dee Penn named three of his four sons “Jay Dee Penn”, leading to a unique naming tradition within the family.
To avoid confusion, each son went by a different nickname.
The eldest son, Jay Dee Penn, also known as “Jay,” shares the same full name as his father.
The second son, Jay Dee Penn II, goes by “Jay Dee,” distinguishing him from his father and siblings.
The third son, Jay Dee Penn III, was nicknamed “Baby Jay” and was shortened to “B.J.” He began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 17 and moved to San Jose, California, to train under Ralph Gracie and Dave Camarillo.
The fourth son, Reagan Penn, was the only brother not named Jay Dee, breaking the naming pattern.
Although the first and second son stayed out of the spotlight, the fourth son has been involved in martial arts, training alongside BJ in their early years.
Furthermore, BJ Penn’s journey into martial arts was a family affair.
His father’s call to his neighbor, Tom Callos, led to him and his siblings learning the basics before he pursued professional training.
The Penn brothers’ support and shared interest in combat sports played a crucial role in shaping his early passion for fighting.
BJ Penn Claims Imposters Have Replaced His Family
Fears are growing for BJ Penn after he made alarming claims that his family members have been murdered and replaced by imposters.
He has taken to social media to post disturbing images about his mother, Lorraine Shin, and his brothers, Jay Dee, Reagan, and Kalani Mamazuka.
Penn insists that the people currently living with him are not his real family but fake frauds involved in a sinister conspiracy. He called on the Hilo Police Department in Hawaii in a desperate plea.
He elaborated on his fears in a series of troubling posts, alleging that the imposters in his home are attempting to steal everything from his family.
Moreover, he expressed frustration over his inability to act, suggesting that if he retaliated, he would face legal consequences, while the supposed impostors could harm him without repercussions.
The former UFC champion’s posts have sparked serious concerns about his mental well-being.
Fans and fellow fighters have urged him to seek help, with many pointing to his history of erratic behavior and legal troubles in recent years.
Loraine Shin filed a restraining order against him for extreme psychological abuse towards her over the past several months, thinking that she isn’t his mother.
I believe my son [B.J. Penn] is suffering from Capgras delusional syndrome (a psychiatric disorder in which a person holds a delusion that an identical imposter has replaced a friend, spouse, parent, other close family member). He believes I’m an imposter who has killed his family to gain control of the family assets.
Loraine Shin
Additional Information
- BJ Penn identifies strongly with Korean roots and said that he gets his hot temper from his Korean side, which helps him use this energy in his fights.
- He isn’t married but is a proud father to two daughters, Aeva LilI’u and Mahina Amado-Penn.
- His autobiography, Why I Fight: The Belt is Just an Accessory, debuted at #22 on the New York Times bestseller list.
- As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at $4 million.
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