Two church leaders are going through fees associated to a pressured labor and cash laundering conspiracy. The ten-count indictment towards David Taylor and Michelle Brannon accused them of victimizing folks in at the least 4 states, together with Michigan, Texas, Missouri, and Florida.
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Extra Particulars About The Indictment & Arrests
A federal grand jury within the Jap District of Michigan returned the indictment towards the church leaders on Wednesday (August 27). Taylor was set to seem in North Carolina, whereas Brannon shall be in Florida—the locations the place every of them was arrested.
Assistant Legal professional Basic Harmeet Okay. Dhillon seemingly in contrast Taylor and Brannon’s actions to “human trafficking,” saying it’s a high precedence for the DOJ to fight such crime.
In accordance with a press launch from the DOJ, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon led the Kingdom of God World Church (KOGGC). Taylor was the church’s “Apostle,” whereas Brannon was the chief director. On the time of arrest, the KOGGC had a number of name facilities throughout Florida, Texas, and Missouri, with the primary being Michigan.
Church Leaders Allegedly Used Folks As “Private Servants”
Prosecutors declare the church leaders employed folks on the name heart as Taylor’s “armor bearers.” In actuality, the alleged workers had been “private servants who fulfilled Taylor’s calls for across the clock.”
Moreover, the indictment alleges that David Taylor and Michelle Brannon managed each side of their victims’ each day lives, from sleeping on the heart or at a “ministry home.” “…Taylor and Brannon didn’t allow them to go away with out permission. Taylor demanded that his Armor Bearers transport girls from ministry homes, airports, and different areas to Taylor’s location.
These “armor bearers” additionally ensured the ladies they took to see Taylor took Plan B emergency contraceptives. Additionally they labored lengthy hours with out pay within the heart and served David Taylor, who set unattainable “each day, weekly, month-to-month, and yearly financial donation targets for victims…” Taylor additionally required victims to pay attention with out questioning him.
“If victims disobeyed an order or failed to succeed in his financial targets, Taylor and Brannon punished the victims with public humiliation, further work, meals and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, pressured repentance, sleep deprivation, bodily assaults, and threats of divine judgment within the type of illness, accidents, and everlasting damnation,” the indictment states.
Church Obtained Thousands and thousands Of {Dollars} In Donations
In accordance with the indictment, the church leaders collected thousands and thousands of {dollars} yearly from their name heart scheme. Reasonably than use the cash for community-serving functions, Taylor and Brannon used it to purchase luxurious autos and properties and sports activities leisure like boats, jet skis, and ATVs. Since 2014, Taylor has collected $50 million, per prosecutors.
Their fees are conspiracy to commit pressured labor, conspiracy to commit cash laundering, and compelled labor. If convicted on the three fees, the church leaders resist 20 years in jail and a number of fines of $250,000 to $500,000.
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