US EditionChurch Religious Leaders Arrested for Forced Labor, Money Laundering
David E. Taylor and Michelle Brannon allegedly coerced church members into unpaid labor and used millions in donations for luxury purchases, authorities said.
- On August 27, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon, who head the Kingdom of God Global Church, were taken into custody in North Carolina and Florida on federal charges related to a widespread forced labor and money laundering scheme.
- The arrests followed a federal grand jury indictment alleging Taylor and Brannon coerced victims to work long hours without pay at call centers in multiple states while controlling their daily lives and enforcing unattainable donation goals.
- Investigators said victims served as unpaid personal servants called ‘armor bearers,’ transported women who were forced to take Plan B contraceptives, and faced punishments including humiliation, extra work, and threats of divine judgment for failing goals.
- Since 2014, the church’s call centers have raised tens of millions of dollars, which Taylor and Brannon are reportedly accused of using to acquire high-end real estate, vehicles, and various recreational equipment according to the indictment and FBI reports.
- The Department of Justice emphasized combating human trafficking as a priority and announced Taylor and Brannon will appear today on indictments carrying up to 20 years imprisonment and fines for forced labor and money laundering.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Indictment describes church leaders with Tampa ties 'weaponizing religion' to control victims
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- What went on inside a gated mansion in Tampa's Avila neighborhood was subject to a raid Wednesday morning. It's laid out in a 23-page indictment against defendants David Taylor and Michelle Brannon. They are the self-proclaimed leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church or KOGGC. Taylor and Brannon are accused of forced labor and money laundering to fund a human trafficking ring, under the guise of a religious ministry. …
Two indicted on federal charges involving known controversial Taylor church
A man considering himself an apostle and Jesus’ best friend, along with his assistant, were indicted and charged for their involvement with the Kingdom of God Global Church as an alleged call center of crime The charges were announced on Aug. 27. David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, are facing a 10-count indictment for their alleged dealings in a forced labor and money laundering conspiracy that victimized individuals not only in Taylor, …
‘Self-professed’ religious leaders with ties to Florida used forced labor to raise millions, prosecutors say
Two “self-professed” religious leaders used forced labor at multiple call centers, including one in Central Florida, to raise millions of dollars to partly fund their lavish lifestyle, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
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