Pastor Sharell Barrera has spoken out about alleged harassment from the leaders of the Kingdom of God Global Church, who federal investigators accuse of human trafficking, and physical and psychological abuse.
On Aug. 27, a federal grand jury returned a ten-count indictment against who the U.S. Department of Justice calls two “self-professed religious leaders,” David Taylor, 53, and Michelle Brannon, 56, for their alleged roles in a forced labor and money laundering conspiracy.
Pastor Barrera recently announced that she started a Facebook group for victims of Brannon and Taylor. In an interview with WTSP, she said that she, too, was harassed by the church leaders in her inbox when she refused to join them.
“It turned into speaking curses, name-calling, saying that horrible things were going to happen to me and my family for coming against ‘God's general’ and ‘God's anointed,’” she said.
As of Sept. 3, the Facebook group has 174 members.
“There have been several women who have said that he promised them cars, homes,” she told WTSP. “He would send them pictures. He told several different women that they were his wife. Many people were threatened. Some people had their lives threatened."
According to a news release from the Department of Justice, Branon and Taylor victimized people in Florida, Michigan, Missouri, and Texas. According to the indictment alleges that Taylor refers to himself as “Apostle” and Brannon as his “Executive Director.” Investigators claim that they ran a call center that solicited tens of millions of dollars across the four states.
Federal investigators allege that Taylor and Brannon required the workers, whom he called their “armor bearers,” to work in the call centers for long hours without pay or perform other services for Taylor.
Armor bearers were allegedly Taylor’s personal servants who fulfilled his demands around the clock. Investigators say Taylor and Brannon controlled every aspect of the daily living of their victims, with many sleeping in the call center facility or in a “ministry” house. Taylor and Brannon did not permit them to leave without permission.
Authorities also allege that Taylor demanded that 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.
According to the indictment, if victims disobeyed an order or failed to reach his monetary goals, Taylor and Brannon would punish the victims with public humiliation, additional work, sleep deprivation, physical assaults, and more.
Taylor and Brannon allegedly received more than tens of millions of dollars a year from the call centers. According to the Department of Justice, the duo used much of the money to purchase luxury properties, luxury vehicles, and sporting equipment such as a boat, jet skis, and ATVs. In total, Taylor received approximately $50 million in donations since 2014.
Upon conviction, the alleged crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy to Commit Forced Labor: up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.
Forced Labor: up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.
Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering: up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $500,000 or twice the value of the properties involved in the money laundering transactions.
“Money laundering is tax evasion in progress, and in this case, the proceeds funded an alleged human trafficking ring and supported a luxury lifestyle under the guise of a religious ministry,” said Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of IRS Criminal Investigation, Detroit Field Office. “IRS-CI stands committed to fighting human trafficking and labor exploitation, and pursuing those who hide their profits gained from the extreme victimization of the vulnerable.”