Two Pastors Arrested in $50m Human Trafficking, Fraud Scandal

Two pastors in the United States, Michelle Brannon and David Taylor, have been arrested over alleged involvement in a $50m human trafficking, forced labour, and money laundering scheme. 

The arrests followed multiple raids carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation across several states on Wednesday.

The U.S. Department of Justice said in a statement that Brannon, 56, was picked up at a mansion in Tampa, Florida, while Taylor, 53, was arrested in North Carolina. 

Both are leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International, which authorities allege operated fraudulent donation call centres.

According to prosecutors, the church raised about $50m in donations since 2014, with funds allegedly diverted into luxury houses, vehicles, boats, and other expensive assets. 

The indictment also alleged that victims were forced to work in the church’s call centres and as Taylor’s personal servants without pay, under conditions federal agents described as “total control.”

Federal investigators said Taylor and Brannon “controlled every aspect of the daily living of their victims,” who slept at the call centre or in a “ministry” house and were not allowed to leave without permission.

The indictment further alleged that victims were compelled to transport women to Taylor and ensure they took emergency contraceptives afterwards. Prosecutors said the accused face charges of forced labour, conspiracy to commit forced labour.

“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice. We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Also speaking, U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. for the Eastern District of Michigan, said, “We will use every lawful tool against human traffickers and seek justice for their victims. A case like this is only possible through a concerted effort with our federal partners across the country and the non-governmental agencies who provide victim support. We thank them all.”