Michigan-Based Church with Ocala Mansion Charged with Human Trafficking, Money Laundering and Forced Labor Violations

OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Imagine someone keeping you from sleeping and being deprived of food, as you’re forced to work long hours without respite or compensation

Apparently, that’s what happened at several locations nationwide and possibly in a mansion in Ocala, the church’s property is a 10,586-square-foot residence at 1280 SW 38th St., that’s owned by a church in Michigan. However, those are just some of the ramifications stemming from the nefarious actions of the accused with nationwide implications.

Conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor and conspiracy to commit money laundering are among the charges facing David “Apostle” Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, who Taylor refers to as the Taylor, Mich.-based Kingdom of God Global Church’s executive director.

However, their alleged mistreatment, abuse and malfeasances will now be addressed by a Federal Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Michigan. A 10-count indictment was returned against Taylor and Brannon on Aug. 27, who are facing serious consequences should they be convicted. It was also on Aug. 27, 2025, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other federal agencies executed a nationwide takedown, that included the church’s mansion in Ocala, and saw Taylor arrested in North Carolina and Brannon in Florida. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team assisted federal agents with their search in Ocala.

The property in Ocala wasn’t the only site raided by authorities, as locations in Michigan, Tampa, Texas and Missouri were also forayed during the nationwide exercise.

The indictment alleges the accused, Taylor and Brannon are the leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church that had been previously known as the Joshua Media Ministries International. The church operated call centers at multiple locations that solicited donations on a daily basis.

The initial call center was established in Taylor, Mich. and rose from those nascent stages to different locations throughout the nation, including Texas, Missouri and Florida.

The victims who were charged with working for Taylor and Brannon were known as armor bearers, acting as personal servants who were to service Taylor’s demands around the clock, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The accused controlled and manipulated every aspect of their victims’ lives, with them not being able to leave without permission, and either sleeping in the call center or living in housing provided by the ministry.

But accusations don’t end there, as Taylor demanded the armor bearers transport women from ministry houses, airports and other locations for his own sexual gratification, instructing the armor bearers to ensure the women transported for his iniquitous behavior took Plan B emergency contraceptives.

Armor Bearers were tasked with working long hours without compensation and were to perform other services for the accused. Unobtainable goals were set by the accused, and the victims were to follow Taylor’s orders without question. However, if the victim was to disobey, they would be subjected to public humiliation, additional work, food and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, forced repentance, sleep deprivation, physical assaults and threats of divine judgement.

The church received millions of dollars annually from the call centers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The accused is said to have purchased a number of luxury items, including, vehicles, boats and sports equipment. The church is said to have received more than $50 million in donations.

Taylor appeared on the indictment in Durham, N.C. on Aug. 27 and Brannon appeared on the indictment in Tampa, Fla. on Aug. 27.

If the accused are convicted of the alleged crimes, these are the penalties they will be subjected to.

Conspiracy to commit forced labor, up to 20 years, imprisonment and a fine of $250,000; forced labor, up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000 and conspiracy to commit money laundering up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the money laundering transactions.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation unit. The case will be prosecuted by the assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Resnick Cohen for the Eastern District of Michigan and Trial Attorney Christina Randall-James of the Civil Rights Division’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit.