DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — One of two suspects who claim to be religious leaders, and are allegedly tied to a human trafficking ring, was arrested Wednesday in Durham by the FBI in a raid early Wednesday morning.
A spokesperson for the agency told CBS 17 that David Taylor, 53 of Durham, is being charged in a forced labor and money laundering conspiracy investigation that agents said victimized individuals in Michigan, Florida, Texas and Missouri.
In the indictment, Taylor was one of the leaders of Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly Joshua Media Ministries International with 56-year-old Michelle Brannon of Tampa, Florida.
The indictment said the church received $50 million since 2014 through its call center.
"Taylor and Brannon required victims to work in the call centers long hours without pay or perform other services for Taylor," according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. "If victims disobeyed an order or failed to reach his monetary goals, Taylor and Brannon punished the victims with public humiliation, additional work, food and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, forced repentance, sleep deprivation, physical assaults, and threats of divine judgment in the form of sickness, accidents, and eternal damnation."
The indictment also said Taylor and Brannon used most of the donated money to purchase luxury properties, vehicles and sporting equipment. Among the items purchased, according to the indictment, were multiple Mercedes Benzes, bulletproof material for their vehicles and 5 ATVs.
The indictment said the workers sometimes slept in the call centers — working as "Armor Bearers" — and Taylor had his Armor Bearers "transport women from ministry houses, airports, and other locations to Taylor’s location and ensured the women transported to Taylor took Plan B emergency contraceptives."
“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims.”
The IRS and the Durham Police Department assisted in the investigation.
“Money laundering is tax evasion in progress, and in this case, the proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry,” said Karen Wingerd, Special Agent in Charge, Detroit Field Office, IRS Criminal Investigation. “IRS-CI stands committed to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation, and pursuing those who hide their profits gained from the extreme victimization of the vulnerable.”
FBI raid and arrest of Michelle Brannon in the affluent Avila neighborhood in Tampa, Florida (WFLA News Channel 8) Church leaders with FL, NC ties accused of using forced labor to solicit $50 million donations: FBIWFLA covered the arrest of Michelle Brannon in Tampa, Florida. Brannon was described as the organization's executive director.
“For twelve years, Brannon has loyally followed Taylor’s instructions and teachings,” the indictment said. “His teachings include encouraging self-inflicted violence and violence against others, including law enforcement, when and if his organization is confronted by law enforcement.”
If convicted, Taylor and Brannon could face between 20 to 60 years in prison.
Hence then, the article about nc religious leader arrested in 50 million human trafficking forced labor scheme in multi state fbi crackdown was published today ( ) and is available on QUEEN CITY NEWS ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( NC 'religious leader' arrested in $50 million human trafficking, forced labor scheme in multi-state FBI crackdown )
Also on site :
- Road over canal in Penkridge closed as bridge reportedly collapses
- Disneyland Paris New Year’s Eve Fireworks Live Stream 2025–2026: Watch Here
- Police and air ambulance attend 'medical emergency' incident in Stourbridge