Two church leaders from Florida are facing allegations of forcing workers into servitude to help raise $50 million in donations to support their extravagant living, which included sports cars, jet skis, and gourmet seafood.
David Taylor, who heads the Kingdom of God Global Church, was apprehended in North Carolina, while his deputy, Michelle Brannon, was arrested in Florida, as reported by the Department of Justice.
The FBI and SWAT conducted a raid on their sleek, beige headquarters in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday. During the operation, 17 individuals were escorted out, with some in handcuffs.
According to a grand jury in Michigan, an unsealed indictment charges Taylor and Brannon with engaging in forced labor, conspiring to engage in forced labor, and conspiring to launder money.
Allegedly, Taylor, who purportedly referred to himself as ‘Apostle’ and claimed to be ‘Jesus’ closest companion’, managed a multi-state call center operation employing unpaid workers. These workers reportedly informed donors that contributions were for charitable purposes.
The indictment states that employees at call centers in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri were prohibited from leaving, subjected to starvation, and faced mental abuse if fundraising goals were not met.
Others were forced by Taylor, 53, and Brannon, 56, to work as Taylor’s ‘armor bearers,’ or his personal servants, the DOJ said.
The unpaid armor bearers were compelled to make food for Taylor, transport him wherever he wanted to go, maintain his fleet of cars and deliver him women who had to take Plan B pills after, according to the indictment.
David Taylor (pictured preaching) was arrested this week after being charged with running a forced labor scheme in multiple states
His right-hand woman, Michelle Brannon, faces the same forced labor charges and was also arrested by federal authorities
The alleged slaves were also subject to punishments if they failed to live up to his expectations, per the indictment.
These punishments allegedly included public humiliation, psychological abuse, forced repentance, sleep deprivation, and physical assaults.
In one text message allegedly sent by Taylor to one of his call center workers, he said, ‘If you don’t work you can’t eat.’
In an all caps message, Taylor allegedly wrote: ‘POUR WATER ON EVERYONES FACES THAT’S HALFWAY SLEEPING AND NOT WORKING WAKE THEM UP NOW!!’
The indictment claims Taylor gave his alleged victims ‘unobtainable’ selling quotas to meet, such as raising $164,000 in a single day.
The complaint identifies eight potential victims and alleges the abuse stemmed back as far as 2009.
Eight potential victims were identified as people that Taylor and Brannon had allegedly coaxed into their operation as far back as 2009.
Those who worked in the call centers were allegedly forced to cut off their family members, give up any outside employment and forsake any and all romantic relationships, the indictment said.
Pictured: The early morning raid on the Kingdom of God Global Church’s headquarters in Houston, Texas
Taylor and Brannon allegedly bought a a Rolls Royce Cullinan, a luxury SUV that can retail for nearly $630,000
The alleged victims were told to say that people’s donations would be spent on charitable works, such as providing water to poor communities or supporting victims of human trafficking, per the indictment.
Prosecutors say the donations actually went toward buying four Mercedes Benzes, three Bentleys, and a Rolls Royce Cullinan, a luxury SUV that can retail for nearly $630,000.
Funds also allegedly went toward four jet skis, two trailers to haul them, and five ATVs.
One of the most bizarre purchases came in 2021 when Taylor and Brannon allegedly bought 125 pounds of crab legs for just over $10,000.
In total, Taylor received approximately $50 million in donations since 2014, according to the DOJ.
Vincent Escobedo, a man who worked next door to the Houston building owned by the church that was raided, spoke to FOX 26 about the ‘cult-like’ behavior he noticed over the years.
‘They were guided everywhere, couldn’t talk to anyone, and even had to be escorted to the restroom. It was just weird stuff,’ Escobedo said.
He also believed he saw one of the alleged punishments of one of the church members happening right out in the open.
A man who worked next door to the Houston building told FOX 26 that members of the church were forced to mow this massive lawn with only a push mower. He believed that was likely one of the punishments that was alleged in the indictment
‘There’d be like one guy with just a push mower out there mowing this large field. One guy. And it was never the same person either. It was always different people,’ he said.
If Taylor and Brannon are convicted, each of the ten charges they face carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and fines as great as $500,000.
Daily Mail has contacted the church and the public defender assigned to Taylor. Daily Mail wasn’t able to reach any attorney possibly representing Brannon.
