FBI raided a former Houston hotel in a $50M case accusing religious leaders of forced labor, abuse, and fraud in a multi-state investigation.
HOUSTON — Two individuals who identify as religious leaders are now facing federal charges in a nationwide investigation where prosecutors allege involvement in forced labor, money laundering, and the coercion of tens of millions of dollars in donations, with connections to Texas, Michigan, Florida, and Missouri.
In the Eastern District of Michigan, a federal grand jury has issued a ten-count indictment against David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, who lead the Kingdom of God Global Church (formerly Joshua Media Ministries International). They were both apprehended on Wednesday in a multi-state operation — Taylor in North Carolina and Brannon in Florida.
Houston raid at former hotel
In Houston, the FBI confirmed carrying out an operation early Wednesday at a property owned by JMMI Global, which is a former hotel located off the North Freeway in north Harris County. Officials noted that this building was among several ministry campuses linked to the organization.
Federal prosecutors claim the group functioned as a forced-labor trafficking ring, exercising physical and psychological manipulation to control followers and compel them to generate millions under the pretense of religious activities.
Allegations from the indictment
According to the federal indictment, Taylor and Brannon:
- Forced victims to live in call centers or “ministry houses” and denied them the ability to leave without permission.
- Controlled nearly every aspect of daily life, including when victims ate and slept.
- Compelled followers to serve as Taylor’s personal “armor bearers,” who were also ordered to transport women to him and ensure the women took Plan B emergency contraceptives.
- Required call center workers to meet unattainable daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly donation goals.
- Punished victims with public humiliation, forced repentance rituals, food and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, sleep deprivation, physical assaults, and threats of divine judgment — including warnings of sickness, accidents, or eternal damnation — if they disobeyed or failed to meet financial targets.
Millions in donations
The indictment alleges that Taylor and Brannon collected approximately $50 million in donations since 2014. According to prosecutors, a large portion of this money financed an extravagant lifestyle, featuring luxury homes, high-end vehicles, a boat, jet skis, and ATVs.
Court documents emphasize that the spending was supported “under the guise of a religious ministry.”
Here are some of the items listed in the indictment that were purchased:
- Mercedes Benz — $63,195.94
- Bentley Continental (downpayment) — $70,000.00
- Crownline Boat — $105,595.00
- Bentley Continental (downpayment) — $15,000.00
- Bentley Mulsanne — $50,000.00
- Mercedes-Benz — $14,908.00
- Mercedes-Benz — $13,695.00
- Mercedes-Benz — $12,485.00
- 5 ATVs — $31,805.00
- 2 Jet Skis and 1 Jet Ski trailer — $24,332.00
- 2 Jet Skis and 1 Jet Ski trailer — $24,962.20
- 125 lbs. of super colossal red king crab legs, 6 seafood shears, and 30 crab cutters — $10,353.44
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan (lease signing payment) — $123,028.09
- Bulletproof automotive — $33,930.00
- Bulletproof automotive — $32,630.00
- Bulletproof automotive — $37,500.00
- Bulletproof automotive — $18,302.76
FBI: A multi-state takedown
The FBI said the operation spanned multiple states, including Texas, Florida, and Missouri.
“The indictment of David Taylor and Michelle Brannon underscores the FBI’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the American public from human exploitation and financial fraud,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
IRS investigators added that the alleged money laundering “funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry.”
Possible penalties
According to the indictment, if convicted, Taylor and Brannon face:
- Up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to commit forced labor.
- Up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for forced labor.
- Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of laundered property for money laundering conspiracy.
The two were expected to make initial court appearances on Wednesday in Durham, North Carolina, and Tampa, Florida.
Nearby business reacts to raid
Vincent Escobedo is an employee at City Electric Supply, a commercial appliance parts store, located near the North Freeway ministry property. He said he saw part of the FBI raid Wednesday morning.
“The FBI did a calling out to them with megaphones and stuff, I heard that,” Escobedo said.
Escobedo added that he had noticed red flags relating to the property before.
“Just kind of weird stuff. Seeing people from the window, and whenever you noticed them back, they kind of look away or get away from the window. That’s definitely odd… I think it’s definitely some cult-like activities.” Escobedo said. “I never really saw anyone actually leave the place.”
How to report human trafficking
Anyone with information is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit humantraffickinghotline.org.
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