Federal prosecutors have indicted the leadership of a Georgia-based church for running what authorities allege was a widespread fraud scheme targeting U.S. military personnel for more than 20 years.

Fox News reported that officials say leaders of the House of Prayer Christian Churches of America (HOPCC) exploited military veterans and service members through religious coercion and financial manipulation, accumulating over $22 million through fraud and tax violations.

The indictment, unsealed Thursday in the Southern District of Georgia, names founder Rony Denis and six other church leaders: Anthony Oloans, 54; Joseph Fryar, 51; Dennis Nostrand, 55; Gerard Robertson, 57; David Reip, 52; Marcus Labat, 42; and Omar Garcia, 40. The charges span bank and wire fraud, false tax filings, and the exploitation of Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits.

The case is part of a years-long investigation into HOPCC, a religious organization with operations near several military bases, including Fort Stewart and Fort Gordon in Georgia, as well as Fort Hood in Texas. Prosecutors say the Georgia-based church used its proximity to these installations to recruit and exploit service members.

According to federal officials, church leaders used manipulation and religious pressure to gain control over members’ finances, even intervening in personal matters like marriages and property ownership. Prosecutors allege that some members were pressured to serve as "straw buyers" for fraudulent real estate purchases under the direction of church leadership.

Church Properties and Fraudulent Schemes Revealed

From as early as 2004, HOPCC allegedly orchestrated real estate deals involving hundreds of properties, using member identities to file false mortgage applications. These properties were later transferred to entities controlled by church leaders. Between 2018 and 2020 alone, the group allegedly collected more than $5.2 million in rental income while intentionally defaulting on mortgages.

Authorities also claim that veterans’ education benefits were exploited through false certifications tied to church-affiliated Bible seminaries. This scheme allegedly allowed church leaders to siphon off federal funds intended to support veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.

In addition to financial misconduct, Denis is accused of creating a tightly controlled environment within the church. Prosecutors say he used psychological tactics to dominate church members, enforcing strict obedience and limiting personal autonomy.

Federal Raids, Arrests, and Legal Filings

The investigation into HOPCC gained momentum after FBI raids in June 2022 at multiple church-linked properties near military communities in Georgia and Texas. The Department of Justice later filed a forfeiture motion targeting nearly $150,000, claiming that the church defrauded hundreds of military families.

On Wednesday, the FBI carried out another raid at a residence in Columbia County, Georgia. FBI Atlanta public affairs specialist Jenna Sellitto confirmed that authorized arrests were made during the operation, but declined to identify the individuals taken into custody.

Special Agent Paul Brown of the FBI Atlanta emphasized the impact of the alleged scheme, stating that those charged are believed to have manipulated trust and faith for personal gain. “This indictment makes clear that using coercion, manipulation, and fraud under the guise of religion will not shield wrongdoers from accountability,” he said.

Investigative Effort Spans States and Agencies

Federal prosecutors petitioned to classify the case as complex, citing the extensive scope of the investigation. The process involved reviewing more than 175 bank accounts, conducting interviews with numerous witnesses, and executing search warrants across Georgia, Texas, Washington, and California.

Over 100 electronic devices and 80 boxes of documents were seized, and more than 200 grand jury subpoenas were issued. Authorities estimate the total fraud involved in between 150 to 200 properties owned or managed through church-affiliated entities.

In addition to real estate schemes, Denis is accused of filing false joint tax returns from 2018 through 2020. Each return allegedly claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent refunds, adding to the charges levied against him and the church network.

Legal Representation and Unanswered Questions

Denis, who obtained U.S. citizenship in 2002, is represented by attorney Steven Sadow. Sadow is a high-profile defense lawyer who previously represented former President Donald Trump in the Georgia election interference case.

Despite holding U.S. citizenship, federal investigators have noted uncertainty surrounding Denis’s true identity. However, the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have not commented publicly on his immigration background or citizenship documentation.

The House of Prayer Christian Churches of America continues to operate locations across the country, including a site near Fort Stewart that was implicated in the 2022 raids. It is unclear whether the organization will continue activities amid the ongoing legal proceedings.