In a shocking unraveling of greed and control, two self-proclaimed religious leaders, David E. Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, have been thrust into the national spotlight following their arrests on August 27, 2025. The duo, leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church—formerly Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI)—stand accused of orchestrating a sprawling forced labor and money-laundering conspiracy that spanned Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri. Federal prosecutors paint a chilling picture of a ministry that masqueraded as a beacon of faith but operated as a machine of exploitation, amassing a staggering $50 million in donations since 2014 to fuel a life of opulence for its leaders.
At the heart of the scandal lies a network of call centers, where church members were allegedly coerced into working grueling hours without pay to solicit donations. These centers, strategically located across multiple states, were the engine of the operation, raking in millions annually under the guise of charitable causes. Donors were told their contributions would fund noble endeavors like water wells for impoverished communities or aid for human trafficking victims. Instead, the indictment alleges, the money flowed into the personal coffers of Taylor and Brannon, who indulged in a lavish lifestyle that included luxury homes, high-end vehicles, private jets, boats, jet skis, and ATVs. A former hotel in Houston, rebranded as JMMI’s “Campus for Harvest,” served as a hub for these operations and was raided by the FBI in a dramatic early-morning sweep, where 17 individuals were removed from the premises.
Taylor, who styled himself as an “Apostle” and claimed to be “Jesus’ best friend” with divine encounters, allegedly ruled the organization with an iron fist. Alongside Brannon, his loyal executive director of 12 years, he enforced a regime of fear and control. Church members, including those recruited as Taylor’s personal “armor bearers,” were subjected to unrelenting demands. These armor bearers served as round-the-clock attendants, catering to Taylor’s every whim—from providing food and transportation to ensuring women brought to him took Plan B emergency contraceptives. Victims lived in call centers or “ministry houses,” stripped of autonomy and unable to leave without permission. Disobedience or failure to meet exorbitant donation quotas triggered harsh punishments: public humiliation, sleep deprivation, food restrictions, psychological abuse, physical assaults, and even threats of divine retribution in the form of sickness, accidents, or eternal damnation.
The indictment further reveals a scheme to exploit government resources, with Taylor and Brannon allegedly forcing victims to apply for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards by claiming homelessness, only to surrender the benefits to their leaders. This manipulation extended to every facet of their followers’ lives, creating a cult-like environment where dissent was crushed and loyalty was coerced through fear.
The FBI’s multi-state operation culminated in Taylor’s arrest in Durham, North Carolina, and Brannon’s in Tampa, Florida. A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Michigan handed down a 10-count indictment, charging them with conspiracy to commit forced labor, eight counts of forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, each faces up to 60 years in prison and fines reaching $500,000. The U.S. Department of Justice, alongside the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation units, has vowed to pursue justice for the victims, with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon declaring human trafficking a top priority. “The indictment of David Taylor and Michelle Brannon demonstrates the FBI’s steadfast efforts to protect the American people from human exploitation and financial crimes,” said Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
Disturbingly, the indictment also highlights Taylor’s alleged endorsement of violence, including self-inflicted harm and attacks on law enforcement, as a response to potential confrontations with authorities. In one chilling instance, Taylor reportedly threatened divine and personal retribution against federal agents, stating, “God’s gonna get you. And I am going to make sure he do, too.” Such rhetoric underscores the depth of control he wielded over his followers.
As the legal proceedings unfold, with Taylor and Brannon set to appear in courts in Durham and Tampa, the nation watches a scandal that exposes the dark underbelly of a ministry cloaked in righteousness. The Kingdom of God Global Church, once a symbol of spiritual promise, now stands as a cautionary tale of how faith can be twisted into a tool for exploitation, leaving countless victims in its wake and a trail of ill-gotten wealth that funded a life of unimaginable excess.
