Welcome to Arrest Stories. A fifty-six-year-old woman faces federal charges for allegedly helping orchestrate a massive forced labor scheme that exploited religious followers at call centers across four states while funding a lavish lifestyle. Here's what may have happened.
Michelle Brannon was arrested Wednesday in Tampa, Florida, on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit forced labor, and eight counts of committing forced labor. She is being held without bond.
According to federal authorities, Brannon allegedly worked alongside a religious leader who controlled practically every aspect of daily living for call center workers and personal servants called armor bearers. The operation reportedly began exploiting victims as early as two thousand nine, with additional victims brought into the scheme through two thousand thirteen.
Officials describe a systematic pattern of abuse where unpaid followers staffed call centers across four states under impossible quotas. When workers failed to meet these unobtainable targets, they faced severe punishments including public humiliation, food and shelter restrictions, psychological abuse, forced repentance, sleep deprivation, and physical assaults.
The religious leader at the center of this operation claimed divine authority, telling followers he has had multiple face-to-face encounters with God and that God has given him the keys to the Kingdom on Earth. He referred to himself as Apostle and Jesus's best friend.
Victims were allegedly cut off from their families and weren't allowed to leave properties without permission. The armor bearers attended to the leader around the clock and were forced to bring him women from ministry houses, airports and other locations. These women were then forced to take Plan B contraceptives.
Federal agents raided an eight-million-dollar mansion in Tampa's luxury Avila neighborhood. The investigation revealed that beginning in two thousand fourteen, the operation received approximately fifty million dollars in donations. These funds allegedly purchased four Mercedes Benz vehicles, four Bentleys, a one-hundred-five-thousand-dollar boat, ATVs and jet skis.
Officials describe the rebuking process as particularly brutal, involving yelling and humiliation, sometimes requiring victims to get on their knees in an attitude of repentance, physical assaults, and threats of further physical violence.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.