Self-styled “Apostle” David E. Taylor was denied bond on Oct. 17 and pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and money laundering, according to Click on Detroit News. His associate, Michelle Brannon, faces the same charges and was granted bond on Sept. 30.
David E. Taylor Denied Bond
David E. Taylor is the head of Kingdom of God Global Church (KOGGC), previously Joshua Media Ministries International (JMMI), and has been the subject of abuse allegations for years. He is accused of raising $50 million in fraudulent donations since 2014.
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On Wednesday, Aug. 27, federal agents arrested Taylor in Durham, North Carolina, and Michelle Brannon in Tampa, Florida. Authorities conducted raids on Taylor’s ministry properties across the country, including in Texas, Michigan, Missouri and North Carolina. KPRC 2 Click2Houston reported that the FBI raided a JMMI building in Houston, apparently taking items out in boxes and arresting people there.
Taylor and Brannon have been charged with conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment against them says that Brannon is the executive director of KOGGC.
Taylor “calls himself Apostle and [Jesus’] best friend,” says the indictment. “He claims he has had multiple face-to-face encounters with God and that God has given him the keys to the Kingdom on Earth.”
Click on Detroit News reports that a crowd of Taylor’s supporters packed the courtroom and also demonstrated outside it, holding signs denying that they were part of a cult. They wore shirts that said, “I am not a victim,” and “Free David E. Taylor.”
When Click on Detroit reporter Noelle Friel approached Taylor’s supporters with questions, they responded only by saying, “Jesus loves you,” and “God bless you.”
Taylor’s attorney plans to appeal the judge’s decision to deny Taylor bond.
