Nationwide — Two self-proclaimed religious leaders, David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, were arrested this week on federal charges tied to a nationwide forced labor and money laundering conspiracy connected to their controversial organization, Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Taylor and Brannon were taken into custody Wednesday—Taylor in Durham, North Carolina, and Brannon in Tampa, Florida. The arrests follow a years-long investigation by the FBI and IRS, with assistance from regional offices including the FBI Charlotte Division.
The indictment claims the scheme began no later than 2018 and lasted through at least July 2025. Taylor, who has long led the KOGGC (formerly Joshua Media Ministries International), referred to himself as “Jesus’s best friend” and claimed divine revelations were the basis for his teachings. Brannon served as the group’s executive director.
Allegations of Abuse and Control
Federal prosecutors allege that Taylor and Brannon operated call centers disguised as ministries, where individuals were coerced into unpaid labor, lived under strict control, and were often deprived of sleep, food, and freedom. Victims were referred to as “armor bearers,” and were expected to serve Taylor personally around the clock—cooking, cleaning, transporting him and others, and even handling emergency contraceptive distribution for women sent to him.
In some cases, victims were reportedly forced to sleep in call centers or “ministry homes”, and were not allowed to leave without permission. They were told to cut ties with family, give up outside employment, and solicit donations under false pretenses—such as claiming funds were for charity work or aid for human trafficking victims.
Messages obtained by investigators show Taylor threatening punishment for underperformance, saying things like, “You’ll have to raise $164K today! Each hour you fall behind, consequences will start…we will mess with the food.”
Lavish Lifestyle, Hidden Abuse
Despite preaching religious piety, Taylor allegedly lived lavishly on the backs of his unpaid followers. Prosecutors say he used the $50 million collected in donations to finance an extravagant lifestyle that included:
Multiple luxury vehicles, including a Rolls Royce and Mercedes Benz
Four bulletproof vehicles, five ATVs, two jet skis
High-end residences and first-class travel
A 125-pound seafood order costing over $10,000
Victims were also instructed to apply for EBT cards and claim homelessness, only for their food benefits to be seized and redistributed among church staff.
Charges and Potential Sentence
Taylor and Brannon are both charged with:
Conspiracy to commit forced labor
Forced labor
Conspiracy to commit money laundering
If convicted, they each face up to 60 years in prison and fines exceeding $1 million.
The case is being prosecuted by the Eastern District of Michigan, where the KOGGC originated. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges or arrests may follow.
