The Houston-based Kingdom of God Global Church and its leaders are facing federal charges for human trafficking and fraud.
Executive director Michelle Brannon appeared in federal court following FBI raids on the church’s assets, including the Joshua Media Ministries International building in Houston, where people were allegedly found in need of medical care but did not receive it, according to FOX 26.
Church leaders David Taylor and Michelle Brannon were arrested in North Carolina and Florida following claims of human trafficking in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri.
Evidence revealed that staff were forced to work, denied basic requirements if they did not meet financial targets, and pressured to pay the church with government EBT cards.
Vicky Yohe, a gospel performer who has previously performed with Taylor, stated, “Today was a victory for those who had no voice or were afraid to expose the truth,” according to Fox 26.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and IRS-CI, are looking into Houston church leaders Taylor and Brannon for allegedly forcing victims to seek money and subjecting them to mistreatment, including sleep deprivation and threats. Legal experts say the case demonstrates that religious organizations can face criminal prosecution, despite mixed reactions from the community. According to the US Department of Justice, the investigation into the Kingdom of God Global Church is still underway, with millions of dollars in donations at stake.