https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/08/27/fbi-raids-tampa-mansion--arresting-two-on-conspiracy--forced-labor-charges

TAMPA, Fla. — Federal agents raided a north Tampa mansion Wednesday morning and arrested two self-proclaimed religious leaders. One of them was being held in jail overnight.

The FBI confirmed they raided a mansion valued at more than $8 million in Tampa’s luxury Avila neighborhood owned by the leaders of “Kingdom of God Global Church.”

Authorities said the leaders are accused of physically and mentally abusing victims to solicit tens of millions of dollars.

Michelle Brannon, 56, was arrested in Tampa and 53-year-old David Taylor was arrested in North Carolina. Brannon was being held overnight in Hillsborough County with no bond because she had no attorney present in court.

Kingdom of God Global Church is formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries. According to JMMI's website, Brannon was listed online as Taylor's spiritual daughter and executive to the ministry. But court documents refer to her as his second in command. She is accused of making sure victims followed orders from Taylor under the threat of violence and condemnation

According to an indictment, Brannon was listed online as Taylor's spiritual daughter and executive to the ministry. But court documents refer to her as his second in command. She is accused of making sure victims followed orders from Taylor under the threat of violence and condemnation.

Victims were cut off from their families, according to documents, and weren't allowed to leave the properties without permission.

The indictment alleges the pair forced victims to work long hours without pay at their call centers and to act as personal servants for Taylor.

Investigators say he also demanded those servants bring him women from ministry houses, airports and other locations. Taylor would also force those women to take Plan B contraceptives, according to authorities.

The suspects reportedly raised more than $50 million in a scheme that lasted more than a decade.

Both Taylor and Brannon are facing multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit money laundering and forced labor.

Both could face more than two decades in prison and up to $1 million in fines if convicted.