United States v. David E. Taylor et al.

A federal grand jury indicted David E. Taylor, who, the indictment says, “called himself Apostle,” on one count of conspiracy to commit forced labor, eight counts of forced labor and one count of money laundering conspiracy. It charges Michelle Brannon, whom it describes as the church's executive director, with the conspiracy count, six forced-labor counts and the money laundering conspiracy count. Kathleen Klein, whom it describes as a church executive, faces only the conspiracy count (indictment).

All three have pleaded not guilty, The Roys Report reported; the docket records Brannon's plea in September 2025 (docket). Taylor's lawyers say the workers were adults who joined voluntarily, kept their phones and could leave (WDIV).

The indictment alleges that unpaid call-center workers faced punishments including “physical assault, additional work, sleep deprivation, food restrictions, loss of shelter, psychological abuse, and threats of spiritual damnation,” and that workers were told they would suffer “sickness, accidents, death, and eternal damnation” if they left (indictment).

The indictment also alleges that Taylor directed female workers to perform sex acts and to make sexually explicit pictures and videos for him. The defendants asked the judge to strike those allegations as irrelevant and prejudicial (motion). She refused, calling them “part and parcel of the forced labor conspiracy” (opinion). Bench Watch isn't describing those allegations further.

Bench Watch BreakdownForced laborShow or hide the explanation

What it means

Federal law makes it a crime to get someone's work through force, threats or “serious harm.” The harm doesn't have to be physical. It can be harm to someone's mind, money or name.

In this case

The indictment says workers were told they would face sickness, death and damnation if they left. Taylor's lawyers say the workers were adults who could leave. A jury will decide.

Why it matters

The judge ruled that alleged threats of damnation can count toward “serious harm” when they come with other alleged abuse. A jury still has to decide whether they did here.

18 U.S.C. 1589

Taylor asked the judge to dismiss the case. His lawyers argued that his words and actions are protected religious exercise, and that because the prosecution treats him as a “false prophet,” a jury would have to find his beliefs false to convict him, the judge's opinion says. Brannon filed a similar motion, and Klein joined both (opinion).

On Nov. 9, 2026, Judge Susan K. DeClercq denied the motions. “Even if these actions were religiously motivated, they are all actions,” she wrote. She found that the alleged threats of damnation are “actionable conduct, rather than unprosecutable religious beliefs,” and she noted that “at trial, Taylor remains free to produce evidence that KOGGC members always participated voluntarily” (opinion).

Bench Watch BreakdownReligious Freedom Restoration ActShow or hide the explanation

What it means

This federal law protects faith. The government can't make it much harder for you to practice your religion. The only exception is when it has a very strong reason and no gentler way to act.

In this case

Taylor said this case burdens his faith. The judge agreed that it does. But she ruled the government met the law's test, writing that “there are no adequate, less restrictive options.” She denied his request on Nov. 9, 2026.

42 U.S.C. 2000bb-1

Bench Watch BreakdownCourts can't judge a faithShow or hide the explanation

What it means

A court can't decide if a religion is true. In 1944, the Supreme Court said people can't be made to prove what they believe. In its words, they “may not be put to the proof” of their beliefs.

In this case

Taylor relies on that case. The judge agreed that jurors can't decide whether his beliefs are true, and she said they must be told so. But she ruled that the conduct the indictment describes can still go to trial.

United States v. Ballard (1944)

A federal appeals court kept Taylor in jail before trial in August 2026, saying his detention “is based on his charged criminal conduct, not on his religious beliefs” (Sixth Circuit). On Nov. 10, 2026, Judge DeClercq denied his latest request for release, The Christian Post reported. Brannon and Klein were released on conditions while the case is pending (Sixth Circuit).