US priests were arrested in $ 50 million human trafficking, fraud scandal

Two American Church leaders faced federal accusations in the case of human trafficking and money laundering worth $ 50 million which according to investigators exploited worshipers with the guise of religious services.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday that Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested in a large house near Tampa, Florida, while David Taylor, 53, was arrested at North Carolina. Both were accused of arranging schemes involving forced labor, fraud, and human trafficking through their ministry, the global church of the kingdom of God, previously known as Joshua Media Ministries International.

According to the Federal Prosecutor, Taylor, who arranged him as “Apostle,” and Brannon, his executive director, who allegedly operated the call center in Florida, Texas, Missouri, and Michigan, where workers were forced to ask for donations to the church. Doj said the victims were also forced to carry out unpaid labor, some served as Taylor’s personal aide, or “Carrier.

Federal investigators accuse the couple of “controlling every aspect of their daily lives of their victims,” ​​Many of them sleep at the center of calls or in homes belonging to the church and are prohibited from leaving without permission. The victims were also allegedly forced to transport women to Taylor and ensured they took the emergency contraception of Plan B.

The 10-calculating indictment claims that the church has collected around $ 50 million in donations since 2014, which are widely used to buy luxury property, cars, ships, jet skiing, and other high-class items.

On Wednesday, the FBI agent raided luxury property in the exclusive Avila Hillsborough County, where Brannon was arrested. Taylor was detained at North Carolina, while the SWAT team and the FBI agent also raided the Houston Hotel tied to the church.

The accusations filed against them include forced labor, conspiracy to carry out forced labor, and conspiracy to do money laundering, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon from the DOJ Civil Rights Division said the arrest followed the National Action:

“Fighting human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice. We are committed to endlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and getting justice for the victims.”

Lawyer US Jerome Gorgon Jr. For the East District Michigan emphasized the government’s determination to sue:

“We will use every legitimate tool for human smuggling and seek justice for their victims. Cases like this are only possible through joint efforts with our federal partners throughout the country and non-governmental institutions that provide support for victims. We are grateful to them all.”

The FBI also underlined the investigation scale. Responsible Acting Special Agent ** Reuben Coleman ** from the Detroit FBI Field Office says:

“The indictment of David Taylor and Michelle Brannon showed the firm effort of the FBI to protect the American people from human exploitation and financial crimes, including forced labor and money laundering.

“The alleged action is very disturbing. I want to thank the members of the Detroit FBI Field Office, with strong support from our federal partners and agencies … For their role in carrying out this multi-country operation. The FBI in Michigan will continue to investigate those who violate federal law and remain focused to ensure the protection and safety of our nation.” “” “

IRS officials also highlighted aspects of financial crime from this case. The special agent responsible for Karen Wingerd from the IRS criminal investigation in Detroit said: “Money laundering is an ongoing tax avoidance, and in this case, the results are funding alleged human trafficking rings and supporting the luxurious lifestyle below both.

The indictment noted that the conspiracy to carry out forced labor and forced labor each brought prison sentences for up to 20 years and a fine of $ 250,000. Conspiracy to laundering money brings the same prison sentence but with a fine of up to $ 500,000, or double the value of the washed asset.

After his arrest, Brannon appeared in a federal court in Tampa on Wednesday afternoon. When asked about his legal representative, he told the judge that he had two private lawyers based in St. Louis and Oklahoma, but admitted that he had not been in contact with them. The prosecutor said the lawyer could not be contacted through the number given.

The judge continued the Brannon session until Thursday, instructed him to secure a lawyer in the Tampa region Meanwhile.