Imagine a reverend claiming divine connections, running a ‘charity’ from a celebrity’s former mansion, only for prosecutors to allege forced labor and lavish fraud! Millions meant for good allegedly funded Bentleys and a Rolls Royce instead. What truly goes on behind the doors of such ‘divine’ operations?
A shocking tale of alleged forced labor and lavish deception has emerged from St. Louis County, where federal prosecutors have unraveled a scheme run by a reverend who claimed a divine connection to Jesus himself. Reverend David E. Taylor and Michelle Brannon, executive director of the Kingdom of God Global Church, face serious charges for allegedly coercing vulnerable individuals into a sophisticated fundraising operation, ultimately diverting millions of dollars for their personal enrichment, including the acquisition of a mansion once owned by rapper Nelly.
The indictment details how workers, relocated from states like Michigan, Florida, and Texas to residences in Chesterfield, Wildwood, and Eureka, were compelled to operate call centers for years. Their grueling task involved soliciting donations through telephone calls and Facebook messages. These donations, they were led to believe, would support charitable causes and legitimate church business, but prosecutors contend a far more sinister agenda was at play.
Conditions within these alleged forced labor centers were reportedly severe and exploitative. Messages from Reverend Taylor, cited in the indictment, reveal an environment of intense pressure and deprivation. One chilling communication, “THIS IS A MARATHON!! You’ll are not taking this serious enough !! THIS HAS TO STOP !! Nobody gets lunch or dinner !!”, underscores the alleged harsh reality faced by those trapped within the organization, denied basic necessities for failing to meet donation quotas.
The Kingdom of God Global Church, previously known as Joshua Media Ministries International, began its call center operations as early as 2013. While the exact origins of the church remain somewhat obscure, court records paint a picture of an organization that steadily amassed vast sums of money under the guise of religious outreach and humanitarian efforts, forming a pervasive religious fraud scheme.
The millions garnered from these fundraising efforts were allegedly funneled into an extravagant lifestyle for Taylor and Brannon. Prosecutors detailed a litany of luxury purchases, including Bentleys, Mercedes Benzes, jet skis, ATVs, a boat, a Rolls Royce, and even 125 pounds of crab legs. Beyond consumer goods, a half-dozen properties across the St. Louis region were acquired, showcasing the alleged scale of their personal wealth accumulation.
Among the notable properties purchased was a 14-acre farm at 1216 Babler Park Court in Chesterfield and an 8,200-square-foot home on Timpaige Drive. Crucially, the scheme also involved the acquisition of the former St. Louis mansion of hip-hop star Nelly in 2017. Taylor had reportedly envisioned this property as the “global headquarters” for his church, a plan that ultimately failed to materialize when St. Louis County authorities took control of the estate.
Reverend Taylor himself cultivated a persona riddled with extraordinary claims. In various writings and videos, he asserted to have met Jesus as a teenager and claimed a guided tour of heaven. More shockingly, he boasted of predicting the September 11 attacks, alleging he knew to evacuate New York City before the twin towers fell, further cementing his controversial and self-aggrandizing public image, often characteristic of a cult leader.
The arrests of Taylor and Brannon mark a significant development in a long-running investigation into what federal authorities describe as a pervasive cult-like fraud. The charges highlight a disturbing pattern of spiritual manipulation and economic exploitation, bringing to light the alleged suffering of numerous individuals under the guise of religious devotion and the misuse of charitable donations for personal opulence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse within seemingly philanthropic organizations, where the line between faith and fraud can become dangerously blurred, leaving a trail of broken lives and misused funds in its wake. Federal agencies continue their work to uncover the full extent of this alleged criminal enterprise and ensure justice for the victims of this charity scam.
