Two leaders of a controversial church in the United States have been arrested after federal agents carried out a series of coordinated raids across several states. Authorities say the arrests are connected to a far-reaching scheme that involved millions of dollars in alleged money laundering, forced labor, and human trafficking.
The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed on Wednesday that Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested at a mansion in the wealthy Avila neighborhood of Hillsborough County, Florida. At nearly the same time, David Taylor, 53, was taken into custody in North Carolina. Both Brannon and Taylor are accused of using their religious organization, Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly called Joshua Media Ministries International, to exploit vulnerable people while collecting tens of millions of dollars in donations.
Federal prosecutors said Taylor, who called himself an “Apostle,” acted as the face of the church, while Brannon served as his executive director and managed daily operations. The church presented itself as a large Christian ministry, but investigators allege it was being used to enrich its leaders and control the lives of followers.
The arrests came after a federal grand jury returned a 10-count indictment. FBI agents, assisted by SWAT teams, raided multiple locations tied to the church, including Brannon’s Tampa mansion and a hotel in Houston that the church owned. Properties in Missouri and Michigan were also investigated as part of the operation.
Court documents claim that Taylor and Brannon ran call centers in Florida, Texas, Missouri, and Michigan, where workers were pressured into making phone calls to solicit donations. Many of the individuals working there were allegedly victims of coercion. Prosecutors say they were made to work extremely long hours without pay and lived under strict control. Victims often slept inside the call centers or in housing owned by the ministry and were not permitted to leave unless given permission.
Beyond this, Taylor reportedly required some followers to serve him personally as what he called “armor bearers.” These individuals performed chores for him, acted as personal assistants, and were expected to be available to him at all times. The indictment also makes disturbing allegations that victims were forced to transport women to Taylor and ensure that those women took emergency contraceptives after encounters with him.
Investigators estimate that the church collected about $50 million in donations since 2014. Rather than being used for charitable or religious purposes, large amounts of this money were allegedly spent on luxury goods and properties. Federal officials say Brannon and Taylor purchased high-end real estate, expensive cars, boats, jet skis, and recreational vehicles such as ATVs. The spending, according to prosecutors, highlights the lavish lifestyle the defendants maintained while exploiting followers who were denied even basic freedoms.
Both Brannon and Taylor are now facing multiple serious charges, including forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The money laundering charges could also result in fines of up to $500,000, or double the amount of money involved in the illegal transactions.
Top officials at the Department of Justice and the FBI described the allegations as deeply troubling. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the arrests show the government’s commitment to ending human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals. “Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” Dhillon stated, adding that the department will continue to fight tirelessly for victims.
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. of Michigan called the case an example of what can be achieved when federal agencies work together. He thanked law enforcement teams across several states, along with non-governmental organizations that assist victims. Acting FBI Special Agent Reuben Coleman emphasized that the bureau will not tolerate schemes that involve financial crimes and human exploitation, noting that multiple FBI field offices, including those in Tampa, Houston, Jacksonville, Charlotte, and Detroit, participated in the operation.
The Internal Revenue Service also played a role in uncovering the alleged crimes. Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in Detroit, said the defendants used the image of a religious ministry to hide their illegal profits and to finance a life of luxury. She described money laundering as “tax evasion in progress” and said IRS investigators remain committed to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation.
Following her arrest, Brannon appeared in federal court in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon. However, the hearing was delayed after questions arose regarding her legal representation. Brannon told the judge she had two private attorneys, one based in St. Louis and the other in Oklahoma, but said she had not been able to reach them. Prosecutors also noted that attempts to contact the lawyers through the phone numbers Brannon provided were unsuccessful. The judge postponed her hearing until Thursday and instructed her to find legal counsel in the Tampa area before it resumes.
The arrests of Brannon and Taylor mark one of the most significant actions yet against a religious group accused of exploiting its followers for financial gain. If convicted, both could face decades in prison. Federal officials say the case is part of a broader effort to crack down on human trafficking and financial crimes carried out under the cover of legitimate organizations.
