David E. Taylor, a self-styled apostle arrested in an FBI raid last summer, faces an updated federal indictment alleging he coerced female followers with threats of sickness, death, and damnation unless they sent him sexually explicit photos, and that he told church workers their bodies belonged to him. Taylor leads Kingdom of God Global Church (formerly Joshua Media Ministries International) and has faced longstanding accusations of fraud, manipulation, abuse, and running a cult. He and the ministry’s executive director, Michelle Brannon, were arrested in August 2025 during raids on KOGGC properties in several states; both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit forced labor, forced labor, and money laundering conspiracy charges, each carrying a potential 60-year sentence. A third official, “Prophetess” Kathleen Klein, was arrested in February.
The indictment describes call-center workers who solicited donations and were allegedly forced to work unpaid, punished for missing “unobtainable” fundraising goals, and subjected to public humiliation, food and sleep deprivation, psychological abuse, and threats of divine punishment. New text messages cited in the updated indictment show Taylor allegedly pressuring 18- and 19-year-old female workers for explicit photos, claiming past “liars” had died instantly, and demanding “armor bearers” be available to him “around the clock,” including taking Plan B contraception. Taylor’s attorneys have argued the sexual-exploitation allegations aren’t a separate criminal charge but “inflammatory background,” and that the government cannot criminalize sincere religious teaching about “spiritual consequences.” They maintain workers were free to leave and unharmed.
Court filings show the ministry has taken in $50 million in donations since 2014, with Taylor and Brannon allegedly spending heavily on mansions, luxury cars, and lavish wardrobes; Taylor has called himself “frugal” and suggested criticism of him is racially motivated. Despite his pretrial detention, the ministry continues operating — hosting events, publishing videos, and holding a Washington, D.C. rally in May where workers denied being victims. Church content continues to defend Taylor as divinely sent and persecuted, while urging followers influenced by concerned family members to return to the church.
In November 2014 David Taylor was involved in a lawsuit where he was required to be deposed. The Video is very revealing into the inner workings of charlatans in the religion business…
