TWO sick church leaders have been arrested for allegedly running a de facto slavery empire out of their Florida mansion.
For 11 years, the leaders abused dozens of people, including children, forcing them to work for free in squalid conditions under the constant threat of violence, police say.
Church leaders Michelle Brannon, 56, and David Taylor, 53, are suspected of being the leaders of the operation that enslaved 57 people.
Taylor, who refers to himself as an “apostle,” founded the church, formerly known as Joshua Media Ministries, and Brannon served as the executive director, according to the Department of Justice.
The dozens of laborers were forced to operate the church’s call center for free in nightmare conditions.
Newly released court documents give an inside look at the shocking operation they allegedly conducted in the basement of a Tampa mansion.
The victims were subjected to food and sleep deprivation, threats, and physical abuse, Fox affiliate WTVT reported.
They slept on floors and lived in either the garage or small rooms with barely any access to bathrooms, court documents state.
During the workday, victims were required to solicit donations for the church, resulting in a total of $50 million in donations, according to court documents.
The duo was arrested on August 27 after the FBI raided the mansion.
The FBI did not state whether they are looking at any additional suspects.
HORROR WITNESS ACCOUNTS
Former church employees have come out to describe the alleged abuse the workers suffered under the reign of Brannon and Taylor.
“I did see David Taylor get aggressive with the staff,” said Leslie Portillo, who lived at the church ministry in Detroit, told WTVT.
“They’re not using the money for good; they’re using it to fund their very lavish lifestyle.”
Portillo separated from the church after she claimed to see other disturbing sights, but her friend continued to work for Taylor.
“They’re not getting paid for anything,” Portillo added.
The former church employee claimed that her friend died of cancer and never got to see her family, as she was restricted from talking to the outside world.
“The family members have been waiting for so many years for their family member, for their loved one to come back,” Portillo said.
“Unfortunately, too many people were hurt in the midst of all of this.
“I know it’s going to be a process, but I know we are going to find out the truth.”
DAMNING EVIDENCE
Court documents reported that an “estimated $500,000 in gold bars; $60,000 in cash; valuable jewelry from a locked safe in a closet; designer clothing and purses; and foreign currency” were found in Brannon’s bedroom.
Investigators also found multiple stone statues and decorative pillars on the ground.
Several expensive cars, including seven Mercedes-Benz and two Bentley sedans, were also found on the property, authorities reported.
Investigators also found a text allegedly sent by Brannon to church employees in which she ordered harsh consequences for those who don’t meet call quotas.
“Did you rebuke him for this,” she allegedly wrote.
“He needs to be raked over the coals for this?? He can die for this.”
Taylor and Brannon now face a 10-count indictment on forced labor and money laundering charges in Michigan, where the church’s headquarters is located.
The duo faces decades in prison and over $1 million in fines if convicted.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15277807/church-leaders-forced-labor-slaves-tampa-mansion/
