Federal authorities have arrested two Florida church leaders accused of running a decade-long human trafficking and financial fraud operation that allegedly exploited dozens under the pretense of religious ministry.

David Taylor and Michelle Brannon allegedly enslaved 57 individuals in Florida while operating a $50 million forced labor and money laundering conspiracy across five states under the front of the Kingdom of God Global Church, as Daily Mail reports.

According to the Department of Justice, Taylor, 53, and Brannon, 56, led the church-based organization while subjecting unpaid workers to inhumane conditions and threatening punishment for noncompliance. Arrests occurred in August, with Taylor detained in North Carolina and Brannon in Florida. Federal agents also conducted simultaneous raids at multiple church-affiliated sites during that time.

The operation's central location was a mansion in Tampa, where investigators say the 57 individuals were held in isolation. Officials allege victims were denied food, forced to sleep on garage floors, and punished through physical intimidation and sleep deprivation. Some of the victims were minors, authorities noted.

Prosecutors said the alleged abuses enabled the suspects to operate a vast call center network in five states: Florida, Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, and Missouri. Laborers were reportedly required to work shifts as long as 24 hours and were forced to serve Taylor directly in roles referred to internally as "armor bearers."

Lavish Spending Funded Through Alleged Abuse

Despite being framed as a faith-based charity, the scheme allegedly diverted contributions to bankroll Taylor and Brannon’s extravagant lifestyle. Prosecutors argue donations were falsely solicited while secretly financing the purchase of luxury vehicles and other expensive items. Among the assets seized were four Mercedes-Benzes, three Bentleys, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan valued at up to $630,000, along with jet skis, trailers, and ATVs.

Authorities also discovered stone statues packed in crates, and high-end cars wrapped like gifts, all stashed at the Tampa mansion where the victims were confined. These findings provided further evidence of misappropriated funds collected under religious pretenses. Investigators emphasized the church’s finances were entangled in a multi-layered laundering process stretching back to at least 2014.

Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation's Detroit Field Office described the operation as a clear case of financial crime fused with forced labor. “Money laundering is tax evasion in progress,” Wingerd stated. “The proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry.”

Victims Controlled Through Threats, Quotas

Former workers recounted strict and coercive rules designed to exert control. If fundraising targets weren’t met during call center duties, Taylor allegedly punished individuals through public shaming and enforced repentance sessions. Messages obtained by prosecutors reveal Taylor berated staff for underperformance and demanded extreme responses to fatigue.

In one message, Taylor reportedly wrote, “If you don’t work, you can’t eat,” underscoring the physical leverage used to impose productivity. In another message, he allegedly ordered, “POUR WATER ON EVERYONE'S FACES THAT’S HALFWAY SLEEPING AND NOT WORKING WAKE THEM UP NOW!!,” demanding immediate discipline for tired laborers.

In addition to forced work, prosecutors claim Taylor misused his position as the self-proclaimed “Apostle” of the group to exert authority over victims, including ordering the delivery of women and instructing the use of emergency contraceptives afterward. Brannon was identified in court documents as both his executive director and romantic partner.

FBI Raids Uncovered Active Operations And More Victims

Federal agents raided the Kingdom of God Global Church’s headquarters in Houston in August, removing 17 individuals—some of whom were placed in handcuffs. SWAT teams and investigators also combed through other properties connected to the organization. Additional victims were discovered during these searches, bringing further scrutiny to the church’s activities.

Authorities said Taylor and Brannon maintained round-the-clock operations through the use of unpaid labor and continuous emotional manipulation. Besides logging long hours, workers were often isolated, cut off from families and the outside world, and pressured with religious guilt to remain compliant.

Despite the arrests and investigations, the church continues to maintain an online presence, including a website and a 24/7 “miracle prayer line.” These platforms remain accessible to the public, raising concerns among officials and advocacy organizations about ongoing recruitment and possible continued exploitation.

Case Highlights Gap Between Religious Freedom and Oversight

Prosecutors say this case underlines the potential for abuse when religious identity is used to shield criminal activity. While religious organizations benefit from certain legal protections, authorities caution that these must not interfere with the enforcement of human rights laws and financial regulations.

The financial arm of the federal investigation focused not only on the laundering activities but also on how charitable donations were misrepresented to gain tax exemptions. Prosecutors insist that every donation made was under pretenses, actively financing what they describe as a trafficking enterprise.

Currently, Taylor and Brannon face numerous federal charges, including conspiracy to commit forced labor, human trafficking, and fraud-related offenses. Their legal proceedings are ongoing, and further indictments may follow as more evidence is analyzed.