David Taylor Appears in Federal Court in Durham on Forced Labor, Money Laundering Charges

DURHAM, N.C. (Aug. 28, 2025) - Self-proclaimed religious leader David E. Taylor, 53, made his initial federal court appearance in Durham Thursday, answering a 10-count indictment alleging forced labor, conspiracy to commit forced labor and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Taylor, who leads the Kingdom of God Global Church (formerly Joshua Media Ministries International), was arrested Wednesday morning by FBI agents in a nationwide takedown of what prosecutors describe as a coercive, abusive scheme spanning Michigan, Florida, Texas and Missouri.

Taylor faces allegations that he and co-defendant Michelle Brannon, 56, recruited vulnerable individuals to work without pay in church-run call centers soliciting donations and to serve Taylor as “armor bearers” - personal attendants under strict, punitive conditions. Prosecutors allege victims endured sleep deprivation, food restrictions, physical assaults, forced emergency contraception and threats of divine judgment if they failed to meet unattainable donation quotas.

During Thursday’s hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge William W. Carlyle, Taylor was advised of his rights and the charges against him, and the court set conditions for his release pending trial. Brannon appeared separately in federal court in Tampa, Fla., on the same day.

Justice Department officials credited coordinated efforts by the FBI’s Detroit, Tampa, Jacksonville, St. Louis, Charlotte and Houston field offices, alongside the IRS Criminal Investigation division, for executing simultaneous raids on ministry-owned properties, including mansions in Taylor, Mich., and the Avila neighborhood of Tampa. Federal prosecutors estimate the church solicited roughly $50 million in donations since 2014, which Taylor and Brannon allegedly used to finance a luxury lifestyle of waterfront homes, high-end vehicles, jet skis and ATVs.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division emphasized the department’s commitment to combating human trafficking. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims,” Dhillon said. U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. highlighted the multi-agency collaboration required to bring the case forward and urged anyone with information related to the alleged human trafficking operation to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Taylor and Brannon remain detained pending further proceedings. If convicted, each faces up to 20 years in prison and significant fines on each count.