https://townhall.com/tipsheet/scott-mcclallen/2025/08/28/two-religious-leaders-arrested-on-human-trafficking-money-laundering-charges-n2662465

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Michigan returned a ten-count indictment against two defendants for a forced labor and money laundering conspiracy that victimized individuals in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri.

The two defendants, David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, were arrested in North Carolina and Florida in a nationwide takedown of their forced labor organization.

“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.”

The indictment alleges that Taylor and Brannon are the leaders of Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly Joshua Media Ministries International.

Taylor refers to himself as “Apostle” and to Brannon as his Executive Director. Their organization ran a call center that solicited donations daily.

Taylor established his first call center in Taylor, Michigan, and then operated call centers in other locations such as Florida, Texas, and Missouri.

“We will use every lawful tool against human traffickers and seek justice for their victims,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan. “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.”

Taylor and Brannon allegedly compelled their victims to work at their call centers and to work for Taylor as his personal servant.