$50M human trafficking and forced labor scheme disguised as faith

Two religious leaders in the US face federal charges for running a $50 million trafficking scheme. Prosecutors say they coerced followers into forced labor in call centers, using deception, isolation, and abuse to exploit faith for profit while funding their own lavish lifestyles.

Human trafficking and forced labor under the guise of religion

According to the indictment, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon recruited people across the country under the guise of a religious ministry. The traffickers forced survivors to solicit donations by phone in call centers across Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri. They instructed them to lie to donors, claiming the money would fund humanitarian projects like clean water initiatives—or, in cruel irony, support for trafficking survivors. Meanwhile, the millions of dollars collected from donations went to fund Taylor and Brannon’s lavish lifestyles.

Further, Taylor and Brennen exerted extreme control over the survivors’ lives. Taylor also made survivors serve him personally, calling them his “armor bearers” while he referred to himself as “Apostle.” He isolated them, requiring them to cut ties with family or friends who questioned the ministry. He forced survivors to sleep at the facilities and barred them from leaving without permission. Those who resisted suffered restricted food, sleep deprivation, and physical abuse.

Manipulating faith and stealing dignity

These tactics—deception, isolation, forced labor and threats— fit recognized patterns of modern slavery. The indictment shows how the traffickers manipulated faith and trust to exploit people, while stripping them of their freedom and dignity.

The Department of Justice also alluded to possible trafficking for sexual exploitation. As reported by the Independent:

Taylor also demanded that his armor bearers transport women from ministry houses, airports, and other locations to Taylor’s location and ensured the women transported to Taylor took Plan B emergency contraceptives.

Furthermore, the accused deliberately set impossible donation targets. And when victims did not meet the unattainable quotas, they faced physical and psychological abuse. According to The Independent,

In 2021, Taylor allegedly ordered church call center workers via text to raise $50,000 before midnight, saying the top nine performers could sleep while the others had to “study notes” until 4 a.m. and eat only soup, salad and water.

The indictment includes a message to the victims during the abuse that Taylor wrote, stating: “TELL THEM ALL TO STAND NOW AND YOU THROW WATER IN THEIR FACES! Especially the people not doing anything or helping bring in the money! You tell them I don’t care about them being sick!!”

The accused will face the consequences

In total, Taylor and Brannon collected approximately $50 million in donations since 2014. The illicit funds were used to acquire “luxury properties, vehicles, including a Mercedes, a Rolls-Royce, ATVs, jet skis, and bulletproof cars, and even seafood worth more than $10,000.”

Now, Taylor and Brannon face eight counts of forced labor, one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor, and one count of money laundering conspiracy. If convicted, they could face lengthy prison sentences.

This case highlights how traffickers exploit vulnerable people under the cover of legitimacy—in this case, religion. Prosecutors say it is a reminder that human trafficking is not limited to hidden industries but can operate in plain sight, targeting trust, faith, and community to exploit victims.