Two U.S. church leaders, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon, have been arrested in a $50m human trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.
Two leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly Joshua Media Ministries International, have been arrested in the United States over a \$50 million human trafficking and money laundering conspiracy.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested at a mansion in Hillsborough County, Florida, while David Taylor, 53, was arrested in North Carolina following FBI raids on Wednesday. Agents also raided a church-owned hotel in Houston.
The indictment alleges that Taylor, who referred to himself as “Apostle,” and Brannon, his Executive Director, ran call centres in Florida, Texas, Missouri, and Michigan, soliciting donations while forcing victims to work long hours without pay as “armour bearers.” Victims were reportedly housed at call centres or ministry homes and denied freedom of movement.
Prosecutors say the pair also forced women to be transported to Taylor and compelled them to take emergency contraceptives. The scheme allegedly funded luxury homes, vehicles, and recreational equipment.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said, “Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice.”
Both defendants face charges of forced labour, conspiracy, and money laundering, each carrying sentences of up to 20 years in prison.