Religious Leaders Arrested for Forced Labor and Exploitation in Call Centers
False Prophets in the Spotlight
In a disturbing case that blends religious manipulation with labor exploitation, two self-proclaimed religious leaders were arrested as part of a nationwide investigation into forced labor at church-run call centers. David Taylor, a 53-year-old who referred to himself as an “Apostle” and claimed to be “Jesus’s best friend,” was arrested in North Carolina, while his associate Michelle Brannon, 56, was apprehended in Florida. Both led the Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), previously known as Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI). The charges against them are severe: conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that “forced labor and exploitation have no place in America,” noting that the indictments expose “years of abuse carried out under the guise of faith.” The investigation spanned multiple states, with search warrants executed in Michigan, Missouri, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida locations connected to the operation.
A Lavish Lifestyle Built on Manipulation
The scale of Taylor’s operation was impressive and troubling. Near Tampa, federal agents raided a 28,000-square-foot mansion with 10 bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms allegedly connected to Taylor. As one neighbor remarked, “Everyone was like, how could a pastor afford to live in a house like that?” According to the indictment, Taylor claimed to have had multiple face-to-face encounters with God and insisted that God had given him the “keys to the Kingdom on Earth.” He allegedly warned followers that anyone defying his commands was defying God and would “suffer in hell.” Taylor established call centers across the country, beginning in Taylor, Michigan, and expanding to Florida, Texas, and Missouri. These centers served as the engine of his financial empire, where victims were coerced into soliciting donations. Court documents reveal that since 2014, Taylor has received approximately $50 million in donations. Much of this money allegedly went toward purchasing luxury properties, multiple high-end vehicles including several Mercedes-Benz cars and three Bentleys, and recreational equipment like boats, jet skis, and ATVs.
Control Through Fear and Manipulation
The methods Taylor and Brannon allegedly used to control their victims were comprehensive and cruel. They compelled victims to work at call centers for long hours without pay, while setting “unobtainable” monetary donation goals. Workers were also forced to serve as Taylor’s “armor bearers,” fulfilling his demands around the clock. The indictment describes how the pair controlled every aspect of their victims’ lives. If workers disobeyed orders or failed to meet financial goals, they faced severe consequences: public humiliation, additional work, food and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, forced repentance, sleep deprivation, physical assaults, and threats of divine punishment. Text messages included in the 23-page indictment provide disturbing evidence of these tactics. In March 2022, Taylor allegedly texted a group chat: “Point blank…if you don’t work, you can’t eat.” Another message from September 2021 read: “How is it in 5 hours you’ll have only raised $6k?… this is a marathon!! You’ll are not taking this seriously enough!! THIS HAS TO STOP!! Nobody gets lunch or dinner!! Over the next 5 hours if they don’t make up for this they are not going to bed until 4am.”
From Ministry to Exploitation
The operation’s evolution reveals a calculated shift from religious services to exploitation. Taylor started JMMI in Michigan in the mid-2000s. Eventually, he discontinued religious services and transformed the organization into a call center where laborers made “cold calls” to solicit donations. He demanded that workers give up their lives to serve the ministry full-time. Many laborers were housed in the Taylor, Michigan building or in separate residential locations and bused to the call center daily. In 2019, JMMI lost its nonprofit tax-exempt status. Undeterred, Taylor simply changed the organization’s name to Kingdom of God Global Church and successfully reapplied for tax-exempt status. The case highlights how religious exemptions can be exploited. Nathan Apffel, director of an upcoming documentary called “The Religion Business,” noted that “shrewd pastors or shrewd businessmen and women have taken leadership positions and will often use the benefits that the government has given churches and use those for ill intent to benefit themselves and David Taylor is a perfect example of that.” Apffel added that “the same rulebook that David Taylor played by, every single religious institution in the U.S. plays by those same rules,” suggesting that the lack of accountability creates opportunities for abuse.
Sexual Exploitation Adds to the Charges
Beyond labor and financial exploitation, the indictment alleges that Taylor maintained sexual relationships with many women in the organization. Prosecutors claim that women were flown out specifically to engage in sexual relations with him. Taylor reportedly insisted on discretion and discouraged the women from becoming friends with one another, further isolating potential victims and preventing them from comparing experiences or building solidarity. This pattern of isolation is common in exploitative systems, whether they claim religious authority or not. The sexual component of the case adds another disturbing layer to the already serious charges of forced labor and money laundering, suggesting a comprehensive system of control that touched every aspect of victims’ lives—their labor, their finances, their social connections, and even their intimate relationships.
Justice Awaits as Victims Seek Healing
Taylor and Brannon now face up to 60 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines if convicted of the charges against them. When Brannon appeared in a Tampa federal courtroom, she claimed to have two private attorneys but said she hadn’t heard from either of them. As the legal process unfolds, the focus will undoubtedly turn to the victims who suffered under this alleged scheme. The case serves as a stark reminder of how religious authority can be weaponized for exploitation, especially when combined with financial pressure and isolation. Karen Wingerd, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office, summarized the financial aspect succinctly: “Money laundering is tax evasion in progress, and in this case, the proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry.” As authorities work to bring justice to the perpetrators, the broader conversation about oversight of religious organizations and protection of vulnerable individuals will surely continue. This case stands as a powerful example of how the intersection of religious authority, financial manipulation, and labor exploitation can create devastating outcomes for those caught in its web.
