Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Michigan has indicted David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, on charges related to a forced labor and money laundering conspiracy. The alleged crimes involved victims in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri. Both defendants were arrested in North Carolina and Florida as part of a nationwide operation.
“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims.”
“We will use every lawful tool against human traffickers and seek justice for their victims,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. “A case like this is only possible through a concerted effort with our federal partners across the country and the non-governmental agencies who provide victim support. We thank them all.”
According to the indictment, Taylor and Brannon led Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), previously known as Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI). Taylor referred to himself as “Apostle” while Brannon served as Executive Director. The organization operated call centers that solicited donations daily from various locations including Taylor, Michigan; Florida; Texas; and Missouri.
The indictment alleges that Taylor and Brannon compelled individuals to work at these call centers or serve as “armor bearers”—personal attendants responsible for fulfilling Taylor’s demands at all hours. Victims reportedly lived under strict control: they slept at call center facilities or ministry houses, could not leave without permission, worked long hours without pay, and faced punishment if they failed to meet donation targets or disobeyed orders.
Punishments included public humiliation, extra work assignments, restrictions on food and shelter, psychological abuse, forced repentance sessions, sleep deprivation, physical assaults, and threats involving divine retribution.
KOGGC/JMMI allegedly collected millions in donations each year through its operations. The indictment states that much of these funds were used by Taylor and Brannon to acquire luxury homes, vehicles, sporting equipment such as boats and ATVs—amounting to approximately $50 million in donations since 2014.
“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, including forced labor and money laundering,” said Reuben Coleman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The alleged actions are deeply troubling. I want to thank the members of the FBI Detroit Field Office, with strong support from our federal and agency partners in the FBI Tampa Field Office, FBI Jacksonville Field Office, FBI St. Louis Field Office, FBI Charlotte Field Office, FBI Houston Field Office, and the Detroit IRS-CI Field Office, in addition to several local, county and state law enforcement partners, for their role in executing this multi-state operation. The FBI in Michigan will continue to investigate those who violate federal law and remain focused on ensuring the protection and safety of our nation.”
“Money laundering is tax evasion in progress, and in this case, the proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry,” said Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge at IRS Criminal Investigation’s Detroit office. “IRS-CI stands committed to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation, and pursuing those who hide their profits gained from the extreme victimization of the vulnerable.”
Taylor is scheduled to appear on these charges today in Durham, North Carolina; Brannon will appear today in Tampa.
If convicted on all counts—conspiracy to commit forced labor; forced labor; conspiracy to commit money laundering—the maximum penalties include up to 20 years’ imprisonment per charge along with substantial fines.
The investigation was conducted by both the FBI [https://www.fbi.gov/] (Federal Bureau of Investigation) [https://www.justice.gov/crt/human-trafficking-prosecution-unit] (Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit) [https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi] (U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of Michigan) [https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ccips/child-exploitation-and-obscenity-section-ceos] (IRS Criminal Investigation). Prosecution will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Resnick Cohen (Eastern District of Michigan) along with Trial Attorney Christina Randall-James from DOJ's Civil Rights Division.
An indictment is only a formal charge; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
