The U.S. Department of Justice has revealed a disturbing case involving two people accused of running what officials call a “forced labor and money laundering conspiracy”. Federal prosecutors say the crimes stretched across Texas, Michigan, Florida, and Missouri, targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting them for profit.
A federal grand jury has indicted David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, on ten separate charges. They were arrested this week in North Carolina and Florida. According to the DOJ, Taylor and Brannon ran their operations under the name of a religious group. What appeared to be a ministry was actually, investigators say, a cover for forced labor, human exploitation, and a money-laundering scheme that generated tens of millions of dollars.
Federal agents from multiple states, including FBI field offices and IRS investigators, worked together on the case. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said that fighting human trafficking remains a top priority, while U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. of the Eastern District of Michigan praised federal partners and non-governmental agencies for helping support victims.
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Victims Controlled, Exploited, and Abused
Prosecutors say Taylor and Brannon operated call centers as part of their organization, known as Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), formerly Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI). The first call center was reportedly set up in Taylor, Michigan, before spreading to other states. Victims were forced to make daily phone calls asking for donations. Each year, these call centers collected millions of dollars. Since 2014, the group is believed to have taken in more than $50 million.
The victims were not treated like employees. Instead, officials say they were controlled in almost every part of their lives. Victims had to live in call centers or ministry houses, with no freedom to leave without permission. Many were forced into personal service roles, including acting as “armor bearers,” a term used by Taylor to describe servants who followed strict orders.
The indictment also describes how women were forced into situations where they were taken to Taylor, with emergency contraceptives reportedly being distributed to them afterward. Victims were ordered to obey every command, often working long hours without any pay.
When donation goals were not met, or if instructions were ignored, the punishments were severe. Victims were allegedly subjected to:
- Public humiliation
- Extra work hours
- Restrictions on food and shelter
- Psychological abuse
- Forced repentance rituals
- Sleep deprivation
- Physical assault
- Threats of divine punishment
These methods created an environment where victims were too afraid to leave or resist. According to the DOJ, this level of control and exploitation amounted to modern-day forced labor.
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Millions in Donations Spent on Luxury Lifestyle
While victims suffered, investigators say Taylor and Brannon lived in luxury. Money raised through donations was allegedly used to purchase expensive homes, vehicles, and recreational equipment. Court documents mention sports items such as a boat, jet skis, and all-terrain vehicles.
Detroit IRS special agent Karen Wingerd said the Criminal Investigation unit remains committed to pursuing those who profit from exploiting vulnerable people. She explained that the defendants laundered money not only to fund their alleged trafficking operation but also to support a lavish lifestyle.
The charges now brought against Taylor and Brannon are serious. The indictment lists conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Each forced labor charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The money laundering charge could lead to another 20 years in prison and fines up to $500,000 or double the value of the property involved in the transactions.
The case is being handled by prosecutors from the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit along with a U.S. attorney’s office. The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation division were central to uncovering the scheme.
Federal officials have called this case an example of how human trafficking can hide behind organizations that appear legitimate. The exploitation of vulnerable people, prosecutors say, was masked by the image of a religious ministry, while in reality it was a scheme that profited off human suffering.