Federal agents arrested a self-described religious leader in Durham on Wednesday as part of a multi-state crackdown on an alleged forced-labor and money-laundering organization that prosecutors say extracted tens of millions of dollars from followers over more than a decade.
According to a federal indictment unsealed in Michigan, David E. Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church (formerly Joshua Media Ministries International), are accused of coercing adherents to work without pay in call centers and as round-the-clock personal attendants—then laundering the proceeds to fund luxury homes, vehicles and other high-end purchases. Taylor was taken into custody in Durham; Brannon was arrested in Tampa, Fla.
A national case with a local flashpoint
The Justice Department said a grand jury returned a 10-count indictment alleging conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The investigation was led by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, with field offices in Charlotte, Houston, Tampa, Jacksonville and St. Louis assisting—an indication of the case’s geographic reach. Prosecutors said Taylor would make an initial court appearance in Durham, while Brannon would appear in Tampa. (An indictment is an allegation; both are presumed innocent.)
Local outlets documented the arrest’s immediate footprint. WRAL reported that Sky 5 filmed agents at a Durham home displaying a banner linked to the church, following Taylor’s arrest. The station also summarized key allegations from the indictment, including claims that victims were compelled to meet fundraising “quotas,” that some slept in ministry housing or at call-center facilities, and that disobedience brought punishments such as food restrictions, public humiliation, and sleep deprivation.
ABC11 (WTVD) likewise reported the Durham arrest and noted prosecutors’ estimate that Taylor’s organization received about $50 million in donations since 2014. The station said Taylor would appear before a judge in Durham.
The allegations in detail
In describing the coercion, prosecutors say Taylor referred to himself as an “Apostle,” and that some followers served as “armor bearers”—personal attendants tasked with meeting his demands around the clock. The indictment alleges that Taylor and Brannon controlled daily life for victims, set unattainable donation goals, and used physical and psychological abuse and threats of divine punishment when goals were missed. The organization allegedly ran call centers—first in Taylor, Mich., then in Florida, Texas and Missouri—to solicit donations every day.
In a statement announcing the arrests, the Justice Department said the case reflects its continuing priority to combat human trafficking and labor exploitation, and credited the FBI and IRS-CI for a coordinated takedown across several states. Potential penalties on the charged counts reach up to 20 years per count.
Raids beyond North Carolina
The Houston Chronicle reported that FBI agents executed a court-authorized search at a Houston property associated with the church, part of a day of activity that included searches or arrests in several states following the Michigan indictment. The paper summarized allegations of sleep deprivation, humiliation and physical abuse tied to missed fundraising goals.
The Austin American-Statesman likewise reported the arrests and alleged scheme across Texas, Michigan, Florida and Missouri, citing the DOJ and IRS-CI.
Durham’s role, and what comes next
The Durham arrest places the Triangle at the center of a case that stretches from the Midwest to the Gulf Coast. WRAL reported that agents filmed at least one location in Durham connected to the church’s activities following Taylor’s detention. Initial court appearances—in Durham for Taylor—are expected to clarify detention status and scheduling.
Victims and potential witnesses are being directed to federal resources. DOJ guidance urges anyone with information on human trafficking to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, available 24/7.
How we got here: a broader pattern
Coverage from Detroit-area outlets (WXYZ, FOX 2, CBS Detroit) has tracked years of complaints surrounding Taylor and affiliated ministries, including reports of call-center fundraising and tightly controlled communal living arrangements in Michigan before expansion to other states—context that mirrors elements in the new indictment.
Why it matters in the Triangle
The case raises urgent, local questions: What protections exist for workers in religious or quasi-religious settings? How do federal and local authorities coordinate when an alleged national enterprise maintains a presence in Durham? And what safeguards can help potential victims come forward safely? Those are public-interest questions the Bull City Citizen will continue to report out, in courtrooms and communities alike.
If you need help
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (confidential, 24/7). Report tips to the FBI: contact your local field office or submit online at tips.fbi.gov. (See DOJ release for participating field offices in this case.)
Editor’s note: Our newsroom will follow the Durham court proceedings, filings in the Eastern District of Michigan, and any related searches or victim-services efforts in North Carolina. If you have information or documentation to share safely, contact the Bull City Citizen. Responsible, meticulous coverage like this is made possible by readers—if our reporting serves you, consider supporting or subscribing.
