The United States police has arrested two pastors, 53years old Michelle Brannon and 56years old David Taylor, for allegedly engaging in human trafficking and multi-million dollar money laundering.
The two US-based clerics, who were leaders of a religious establishment, Kingdom of God Global Church, were nabbed following accusations of turning a $50 million donation for the church to personal use.
The suspects, who realized the huge funds through a call centre, were also alleged to have subjected church members to forced labour after manipulating them to work for long hours without pay and controlled every aspect of their daily living.
In the police investigation, it was discovered that both suspects manipulated the members to transport women who were forced to take Plan B emergency contraceptives.
During the suspect’s court trial yesterday at the Federal High Court in Tampa, the Attorney General, Jerome Gordon, said that the accused suspects, who are facing a 10-count charges, were arrested in North Carolina and Florida.
“The indictment of David Taylor and Michelle Brannon demonstrates the FBI’s steadfast efforts to protect the American people from human exploitation and financial crimes, including forced labour and money laundering,” Gordon said.
“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.”
The prosecution stated that conspiracy to commit forced labour carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000, while forced labour carries up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.
It noted that conspiracy to commit money laundering carries 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.
