Cult Leaders Charged in Michigan Forced Labor Scheme

The FBI Detroit Field Office has announced via press release that they, along with the Internal Revenue Service, have arrested and charged two individuals in connection with what can only be described as a dystopian call center cult.

Great. Just what Michigan needed: a "religious leader" using faith as their personal ATM and human misery as collateral. However, these faux pastors didn't limit their operation to the Mitten State; they also had operations in Florida, Texas, and Missouri.

Inside the FBI’s Cult Investigation

Meet David Taylor (aka "Apostle") and Michelle Brannon, who were the leaders of Kingdom of God Global Church (formerly Joshua Media Ministries International). These "church leaders" acted more like cult leaders, human traffickers, and corporate CEOs than pastors, according to allegations.

How the Call Center Cult Operated

Their plan? Force people to work, unpaid, in a call center that solicits donations. The press release states that followers were given impossible goals and punished failures with food and shelter restrictions, humiliation, and threats of eternal hellfire.

Luxury at the Expense of Followers

Because nothing says spiritual guidance like sleep deprivation and psychological torture. The kicker? While church members raised dollars, Taylor and Brannon are accused of buying luxury homes, cars, ATVs, and jet skis. Since 2014, their "call centers" have brought in a whopping $50 million in donations.

RELATED: Gang That Makes the FBI Nervous is Now Active in Michigan

The Charges and Possible Sentences

The pair face charges that include forced labor, conspiracy, and money laundering, with a potential sentence of up to 20 years for each charge. So next time someone promises you eternal life and blessings, maybe check and see if they own a suspicious number of jet skis.