DETROIT – Court documents have unveiled the extravagant lifestyle of one of two church leaders prior to her arrest, alongside compelling evidence recovered by federal agents supporting serious allegations of forced labor and money laundering against these church authorities.
The revelations emerged during a bond hearing for Michelle Brannon, who was extradited from Florida to Michigan to face federal charges on September 30, 2025.
Background
On August 27, 2025, David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, were apprehended in North Carolina and Florida during a nationwide takedown operation targeting their alleged forced labor organization.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, the duo leads the Kingdom of God Global Church, formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries International. They are accused of exploiting individuals working at call centers to solicit donations for their organization in several states, including Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri.
Court records detail that Taylor identifies as an Apostle, portraying himself as “Jesus’ best friend.” He claimed to have experienced direct encounters with God, asserting that he was bestowed the keys to the Kingdom on Earth.
Documents indicate that Taylor and Brannon not only compelled individuals to work at their call centers but also pressed them into service as Taylor’s “armor bearers.”
Their call centers operate in multiple locations, including:
- Taylor, Michigan
- Chesterfield, Missouri
- Eureka, Missouri
- Wildwood, Missouri
- Tampa, Florida
- Ocala, Florida
- Houston, Texas
The first call center was established over a decade ago in Taylor, Michigan, marking the beginning of this alleged exploitation.
The term “armor bearers” referred to Taylor’s personal servants, responsible for fulfilling his demands at all hours. The U.S. Attorney’s Office states that Taylor and Brannon exercised stringent control over their victims’ daily lives.
Related –> He lured Michiganders by posing as God’s best friend. Then he took over their whole lives, feds say
Victims often slept at the call center facilities or in “ministry” houses, with Taylor and Brannon allegedly forbidding them from leaving without permission. Taylor purportedly warned that disobeying his orders was equated to defying God, leading to severe consequences in the afterlife.
Related –> Texts from church leaders reveal treatment of call center workers in Michigan, other states
Brannon Arrested in Tampa Mansion
Court documents outlined several pieces of evidence linking Brannon to forced labor and money laundering claims. Following a search warrant execution at her Florida residence on August 27, investigators discovered around 57 employees from the organization living in the house.
While numerous call center workers were crammed into a single room, vying for bathroom space with many sleeping directly on the floor, Brannon enjoyed a lavishly furnished multi-room suite equipped with its own bathroom.
Investigators noted additional living quarters above the garage were also occupied by around 13 individuals, sharing a solitary bathroom. Brannon’s luxurious bedroom suite featured large-screen TVs, two walk-in closets, a treadmill, a spinning bike, and a workspace, alongside a bathroom that boasted two showers and four vanities.
Moreover, federal authorities uncovered a sexually explicit video linked to Brannon involving a female worker who had sent it to Taylor. The worker was reportedly distressed, expressing remorse for the delay in completing her “assignment,” which related to the sexually explicit content.
It is alleged that Taylor regularly solicited sexually explicit photos and videos from multiple female workers, resulting in thousands of explicit images collected.
Documentation also indicated severe repercussions imposed by Taylor and Brannon on workers who failed to meet their expectations, such as restricting access to food and forcing them to pick up trash outdoors for 24-hour stretches.
Gold Bars, Cash, Jewelry, Designer Clothes
Further evidence gathered at Brannon’s residence and other organization locations substantiates the money laundering claims against them. While searching the Tampa property, agents discovered approximately $500,000 in gold bars, $60,000 in liquid cash, valuable jewelry secured in a safe, foreign currency, and high-end designer clothing in her closet, including life-sized stone statues and decorative pieces recently delivered to the property.
Seven Mercedes-Benz vehicles and two Bentleys were also noted to be present on the property grounds. At additional organizational sites, over $41 million from the primary business accounts was uncovered, alongside a Lincoln Navigator located at Taylor’s residence in North Carolina, silver coins in Texas and Michigan, and varying amounts of cash scattered across different locations.
Luxury Purchases
According to reports from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kingdom of God Global Church amassed millions of dollars through income generated at its call centers annually.
It is alleged that Taylor and Brannon misappropriated these funds, using them to finance luxurious residences, high-end vehicles, and recreational gear, including boats, jet skis, and ATVs.
Since 2014, Taylor reportedly received about $50 million in donations, demonstrating the extensive financial reach of their operations.
Between 2018 and 2025, federal authorities tracked unusual transactions associated with Taylor and Brannon, including:
- 125 lbs. of super colossal red king crab legs, six seafood shears, and 30 crab cutters: $10,353.44
- Mercedes-Benz: $63,195.94
- Bentley Continental: $70,000 down payment
- Crownline Boat: $105,595
- Bentley Continental: $15,000 down payment
- Bentley Mulsanne: $50,000 down payment
- Mercedes-Benz transactions totaling $14,908, $13,695, $12,485, and many others.
- Five ATVs: $31,805
- Two jet skis and associated trailers totaling over $49,000.
- Rolls Royce Cullinan: $123,028.09 lease signing payment.
- Various transactions associated with luxury automotive purchases.
In a video retrieved from Brannon’s iCloud, dated July 11, 2020, Brannon expresses gratitude to Taylor for a newly acquired black Bentley Continental, purchased just days prior on June 29, 2020.
Out on Bond
Brannon was arraigned on September 30 and is currently out on bond, residing in a home in Northville, Michigan, as she awaits trial.
During her bond hearing on October 1, it was disclosed that her living expenses are being covered by current church members. The judge ordered that she has 30 days to arrange alternative accommodations, disallowing support from any church affiliates.
Brannon is scheduled to return to federal court on November 3, 2025, with a jury trial set for November 18 at 8:30 a.m.
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