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David Taylor, a self-proclaimed religious leader and founder of the controversial Kingdom of God Global Church, was arrested in Durham on Wednesday on federal charges of forced labor and money laundering. The arrest was part of a nationwide operation led by the FBI and IRS targeting what prosecutors allege was a coercive and abusive scheme masked as ministry.
Taylor, 53, who refers to himself as “Apostle,” was taken into custody by federal agents and is expected to make his first court appearance in Durham. His co-defendant, 56-year-old Michelle Brannon, was arrested the same day in Florida. The two are accused of running what authorities describe as a multi-state human trafficking operation that spanned Michigan, Texas, Florida, and Missouri, and generated roughly $50 million in donations during the past decade.
The indictment – unsealed Wednesday – alleges that Taylor and Brannon manipulated, isolated, and abused followers under the guise of religious service. Victims were allegedly forced to live in ministry-owned homes, work without pay in church call centers, and serve Taylor personally as around-the-clock “armor bearers.” According to federal prosecutors, some victims were coerced into transporting women to Taylor and administering emergency contraception under orders.
Durham played a key role in Wednesday’s coordinated arrests, as federal authorities moved in locally to apprehend Taylor. There is no current indication that the organization was operating out of Durham, but Taylor had been in the area at the time of arrest.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, victims who failed to meet donation quotas or disobeyed orders were punished with public shaming, food deprivation, psychological abuse, sleep deprivation, and even physical assault.
Federal prosecutors allege the money raised was used to fund a luxury lifestyle, including waterfront homes, high-end vehicles, jet skis, and other personal amenities.
The charges Taylor faces include:
- Conspiracy to commit forced labor
- Forced labor
- Conspiracy to commit money laundering
Each charge carries up to 20 years in prison.
“Combating human trafficking is a top priority,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge.”
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr., based in Michigan, emphasized the broad coordination required to bring the case forward: “This was only possible through a concerted effort with our federal partners across the country and the non-governmental agencies who support victims.”
🚨 Community Alert
The case is likely to draw local attention due to Taylor’s arrest in Durham, especially as awareness grows around coercive groups and spiritual abuse.
Federal authorities are urging anyone with information about human trafficking or similar conduct connected to Taylor, Brannon, or their organizations – Kingdom of God Global Church or Joshua Media Ministries International – to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or visit humantraffickinghotline.org.
The investigation was led by the FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation, with support from multiple field offices, including Charlotte.
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