A Durham pastor who once called himself “Jesus’ Best Friend” is facing federal charges after prosecutors accused him of orchestrating a $50 million forced labor scheme through his church’s call centers. David Taylor, 53, leader of the Kingdom of God Global Church, was arrested Wednesday in Durham alongside co-defendant Michelle Brannon, 56, who was arrested in Florida. Both face charges of conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, and money laundering, with each count carrying penalties of up to 20 years in prison.

According to a federal indictment, Taylor set up nine call centers in Michigan, Missouri, Florida, and Texas, where recruits known as “armor bearers” were forced into grueling shifts to solicit donations. Prosecutors allege the workers were denied food, sleep, and freedom, and were threatened with humiliation, physical punishment, and even “divine justice” if they failed to meet Taylor’s lofty fundraising goals. A 2021 text message allegedly sent by Taylor demanded $50,000 in donations before midnight, warning that underperformers would face sleep deprivation and food restrictions.

Over the past decade, the operation allegedly funneled more than $50 million into bank accounts tied to Taylor’s church. Instead of charitable causes, prosecutors say the money funded his lavish lifestyle, including multiple Mercedes Benz and Bentley automobiles, a Rolls Royce worth more than $120,000, ATVs, jet skis, and luxury homes. The indictment also claims Taylor ordered recruits to perform domestic tasks for him, from cooking and cleaning to bringing women to his home — with strict demands they take contraceptives beforehand.

The Justice Department emphasized the seriousness of the charges, calling the case an example of human trafficking disguised as religious devotion.

“Combating human trafficking is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon in a statement. “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and ending this scourge and obtaining justice for the victims.”

Taylor and Brannon both appeared in court this week, where they will face the consequences of what prosecutors describe as a years-long campaign of exploitation and abuse.

Source: Yahoo