...
By Robert Alexander
Senior Crime & Court Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A federal grand jury in Detroit has returned a 10-count indictment against two self‑proclaimed religious leaders, David E. Taylor—who calls himself an "Apostle"—and Michelle Brannon, charging them with running a sprawling forced labor and money laundering conspiracy.
Prosecutors allege the pair exploited followers through their church network in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri, forcing them to work unpaid in call centres to rake in tens of millions of dollars in donations for nonexistant charitable efforts. Those who disobeyed were allegedly warned they "will suffer in Hell."
The funds were instead used to fund "extravagant" personal lifestyles, the indictment said.
Read More on U.S.
The pair were arrested on August 27 in a coordinated nationwide sweep that the Department of Justice said dismantled the leaders' grip over their empire.
Why It Matters
The indictment underscores the federal government's focus on human trafficking and financial crimes that hide behind religious fronts, and it signals a warning to other organizations that exploit faith communities under the guise of spiritual leadership.
What To Know
The grand jury's indictment alleges that 53-year-old Taylor said he is "Jesus's best friend," said he had several face-to-face encounters with God, and said he had been given the keys to the Kingdom on Earth.
Taylor and 56-year-old Brannon allegedly ran call centers across the four states that solicited donations for Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), formerly Joshua Media Industries International (JMMI), to fund nonexistant charitable works such as water wells for impoverished overseas communities, the indictment said.
...
Prosecutors say the scheme generated about $50 million since 2014, which Taylor and Brannon used to purchase luxury properties, luxury vehicles, and sporting equipment such as a boat, jet skis, and ATVs.
Victims were compelled to work at the call centers and to serve as Taylor's servant "armor bearers" while their daily lives were closely controlled, prosecutors said.
"Armor bearers were Taylors's personal servants who fulfilled Taylor's demands around the clock," the Justice Department said.
"Victims slept in the call center facility or in a "ministry" house, and Taylor and Brannon did not permit them to leave without permission. Taylor demanded that his Armor Bearers transport women from ministry houses, airports, and other locations to Taylor's location and ensured the women transported to Taylor took Plan B emergency contraceptives."
The indictement said Taylor "regularly claims that if an individual fails to obey his orders and commands, they are defying God and will suffer in Hell."
It alleged that those who resisted Taylor or Brannon faced daily humiliation at so-called "rebuke" meetings where those who had "disobeyed" were publicly humiliated requiring them to get on their knees in repentance; there was deprivation, exhaustion, or threats of violence and divine punishment.
The pair demanded victims apply for the government funded Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, claiming to be homeless, and then give the card to Taylor or Brannon, which was then used to purchase food for KOGGC staff, the indictment said. Government money obtained and spent by Taylor and Brannon also included funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) which is a federal program providing nutritional benefits to low-income individuals and families to help them purchase food.
The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation examined the alleged scheme, and prosecutors credited coordination with federal partners and non-governmental agencies that provide victim support.
The charges carry penalties of up to 20 years' imprisonment for forced labor counts and significant fines, with the case prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and the Civil Rights Division's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.
What People Are Saying
Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, said in the DOJ press release on August 27: "Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice."
Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, said in the same release: "We will use every lawful tool against human traffickers and seek justice for their victims."
Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge, FBI Detroit Field Office, added: "The indictment of David Taylor and Michelle Brannon demonstrates the FBI's steadfast efforts to protect the American people from human exploitation and financial crimes, including forced labor and money laundering."
What Happens Next
David Taylor is scheduled to appear in Durham, North Carolina, and Michelle Brannon in Tampa, Florida, where their initial court appearances and potential detention hearings will proceed under federal rule.
The case will move through federal criminal proceedings and may involve pretrial motions, discovery and potential additional charges as investigators continue their work, and any convictions would follow the statutory sentence ranges described in the indictment, according to prosecutors and public filings.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines