In a sweeping operation conducted on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, federal authorities arrested David E. Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), as part of an investigation into alleged illicit activities linked to the organization. The arrests took place at a northwest Houston location identified as a campus for the church’s former entity, Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the charges against Taylor and Brannon are part of a broader initiative to dismantle a network described by prosecutors as a “forced labor organization” engaged in money laundering and exploiting individuals via physical and psychological means. Taylor, who claims titles such as “Apostle” and professes having direct dialogues with God, is accused of leveraging these claims to orchestrate a vast fundraising apparatus through call centers scattered across Missouri, Florida, and Texas.
Investigators allege that since 2014, KOGGC has secured approximately $50 million annually in donor contributions, reportedly allocating these funds towards personal luxuries, including real estate, air travel, and luxury vehicles. The indictment further accuses Taylor of enlisting individuals as “armor bearers”—unpaid attendants tasked with personal services and logistical duties, some of whom were coerced into taking emergency contraceptives or faced severe repercussions for non-compliance.
Court documents suggest that non-conformity to Taylor’s directives could result in demeaning punishments, deprivation of basic needs, and threats of divine retribution. The accusations paint a picture of a religious organization using fear and manipulation to maintain control over its followers.
As legal proceedings advance, Taylor will appear in court in Durham, North Carolina, while Brannon will face a judge in Tampa, Florida. Both face potential sentences of up to 20 years imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 if convicted of the charges related to forced labor and financial fraud.
