DURHAM, N.C. (BN24) — Two self-proclaimed American religious leaders were arrested Wednesday on federal charges accusing them of running a nationwide forced labour and money laundering conspiracy that generated more than $50 million in illicit donations.
David Taylor, 53, was taken into custody in Durham, North Carolina, and Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested in Tampa, Florida, authorities said. Both are leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI).
The U.S. Department of Justice said the scheme began no later than 2018 and continued through at least July 2025. Taylor, who refers to himself as “Apostle and Jesus’s best friend,” led the organization, and Brannon served as its executive director.
The indictment alleges the church operated call centers in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri to solicit daily donations. Since 2014, KOGGC received approximately $50 million from donors, according to the DOJ.
Authorities say Taylor used the money to fund an extravagant lifestyle that included multiple luxury vehicles, such as a Rolls Royce, a Mercedes-Benz, five ATVs, two jet skis, and four bulletproof cars, as well as several homes and expensive seafood purchases.
Taylor and Brannon allegedly forced victims to work long hours without pay at the call centers and as personal servants for Taylor, called “armor bearers,” who met his every demand. Some victims reportedly slept at the call centers or in ministry houses and were not allowed to leave without permission.
The indictment states that victims were pressured to lie about the use of donations, falsely claiming they supported charitable projects such as water wells or trafficking victims. They were also ordered to cut off contact with anyone questioning the church and required to give up outside jobs.
Failure to meet strict fundraising goals reportedly led to punishments including public humiliation, additional work, restrictions on food and shelter, physical assaults, sleep deprivation, and threats of divine judgment.
FBI evidence includes messages from Taylor demanding fundraising milestones, such as: “you’ll have to raise $164K today!! Each hour you fall behind consequences will start… we will mess with the food.”
Victims were also allegedly forced to apply for government benefits, including EBT cards, under false pretenses to help support church staff.
Taylor and Brannon face charges including conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Convictions carry maximum sentences of more than 60 years in prison and fines exceeding $1 million each. The FBI and IRS led the investigation with support from FBI offices nationwide. The case will be prosecuted by the Eastern District of Michigan.
