Church Leaders Charged In Labor & Money Laundering Plot

Two church leaders are going through expenses associated to a compelled labor and cash laundering conspiracy. The ten-count indictment towards David Taylor and Michelle Brannon accused them of victimizing folks in at the least 4 states, together with Michigan, Texas, Missouri, and Florida.

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Extra Particulars About The Indictment & Arrests

A federal grand jury within the Jap District of Michigan returned the indictment towards the church leaders on Wednesday (August 27). Taylor was set to look in North Carolina, whereas Brannon might be in Florida—the locations the place every of them was arrested.

Assistant Lawyer Common Harmeet Ok. Dhillon seemingly in contrast Taylor and Brannon’s actions to “human trafficking,” saying it’s a prime precedence for the DOJ to fight such crime.

In keeping with a press launch from the DOJ, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon led the Kingdom of God World Church (KOGGC). Taylor was the church’s “Apostle,” whereas Brannon was the manager director. On the time of arrest, the KOGGC had a number of name facilities throughout Florida, Texas, and Missouri, with the primary being Michigan.

Church Leaders Allegedly Used Folks As “Private Servants”

Prosecutors declare the church leaders employed folks on the name middle as Taylor’s “armor bearers.” In actuality, the alleged workers have been “private servants who fulfilled Taylor’s calls for across the clock.”

Moreover, the indictment alleges that David Taylor and Michelle Brannon managed each facet of their victims’ every day lives, from sleeping on the middle or at a “ministry home.” “…Taylor and Brannon didn’t allow them to depart with out permission. Taylor demanded that his Armor Bearers transport ladies from ministry homes, airports, and different areas to Taylor’s location.

These “armor bearers” additionally ensured the ladies they took to see Taylor took Plan B emergency contraceptives. Additionally they labored lengthy hours with out pay within the middle and served David Taylor, who set unattainable “every day, weekly, month-to-month, and yearly financial donation targets for victims…” Taylor additionally required victims to hear with out questioning him.

“If victims disobeyed an order or failed to achieve his financial targets, Taylor and Brannon punished the victims with public humiliation, further work, meals and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, compelled repentance, sleep deprivation, bodily assaults, and threats of divine judgment within the type of illness, accidents, and everlasting damnation,” the indictment states.

Church Obtained Tens of millions Of {Dollars} In Donations

In keeping with the indictment, the church leaders collected hundreds of thousands of {dollars} yearly from their name middle scheme. Quite than use the cash for community-serving functions, Taylor and Brannon used it to purchase luxurious automobiles and properties and sports activities leisure like boats, jet skis, and ATVs. Since 2014, Taylor has collected $50 million, per prosecutors.

Their expenses are conspiracy to commit compelled labor, conspiracy to commit cash laundering, and compelled labor. If convicted on the three expenses, the church leaders resist 20 years in jail and a number of fines of $250,000 to $500,000.