DETROIT – The attorneys representing the self-proclaimed church leader accused of taking over the lives of his followers are asking a judge to reconsider a detention order requiring him to stay in custody while he awaits trial.
A judge denied David Taylor’s bond during a hearing last month, ruling that he should be kept in custody to limit his contact with church members as court proceedings continue.
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Taylor and Michelle Brannon, the church’s executive director, are accused of forcing church members in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri to work for free while raising donations in the church’s call centers.
In a federal indictment, prosecutors shared dozens of text messages where Taylor appeared to order punishments for workers who failed to meet his donation quotas, including food deprivation, sleep deprivation, shelter deprivation, and denial of medical care.
In a newly filed motion appealing the detention order, his attorneys argued these messages were sent during a “theological orientation,” known within the church as a “boot camp.”
His attorneys claimed this orientation was “rigorous, but not harmful, and was voluntarily attended by every participant.”
His attorneys also argued that Taylor never personally imposed these punishments and was never present when these punishments were allegedly carried out.
The filing claims he was living “shut away” in North Carolina at the time the text messages were sent.
The indictment stated that Taylor had not lived at any of the church’s call centers since 2020 and that he had exclusively used cellphones to communicate with church workers.
“Standing alone, the text messages show nothing but an expression of passive aggression from a frustrated pastor in shut away,” the filing reads. “They do not show actions or conduct, nor does the government provide any actual evidence that they were acted upon.”
Prosecutors claim Taylor and Brannon regularly held meetings to “rebuke,” or punish, church members who disobeyed.
The indictment claims these “rebukings” included yelling and humiliation, physical assaults, and threats of physical violence.
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Taylor’s attorneys claim church members were “infrequently admonished, or rebuked, for certain transgressions” like smoking marijuana or otherwise “not adhering to standards and expectations of behavior.”
The filing claims these rebukings “were never severe nor seriously harmful, were always in line with reasonable church practices, and were consented to by adult church members who chose to live the way they did.”
The filing also addresses prosecutors’ claims that Taylor forced female church members to send him “thousands” of sexually explicit photos and videos, claiming these relationships were all consensual.
“A consenting adult who provides lawful selfies to another, without more, has no relevance to a charge of forced labor,” the filing reads.
Attorneys provide texts supporting appeal
Taylor’s attorneys provided their own text messages where Taylor told church workers to sleep in or encouraged them to get more rest. Here are the texts shown in the appeal:
May 4, 2024, at 9:56 p.m.
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “No you’ll rest, be restored and have fun.”
July 10, 2024, at 1:25 p.m.
A worker texted the organizations staff groups on behalf of Taylor regarding the loss of power during Hurricane Beryl, “With some of the people medical conditions we need to make sure they are first! Also Michelle and joseph I want you’ll to Look into immediately us getting a professional massive generator to back up the power of the whole building plus some extra !! WE CANT EVER ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN!! I see in order for us to operate we got to have this no doubt !! What is the size generator that we need for that whole hotel etc .. ?? Find out today !! Where can we place it ?? We just can’t allow this to ever happen again !! How are those with medical conditions getting to their rooms ? Are the elevators working !? They need to be in rooms on the first floor and keep cold water and ice there!!”
July 10, 2024, at 1:28 p.m.
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “Michelle and joseph orchestrate our 18 wheelers to fill up and go to Texas and help those in need !! Connect with fema or the government and ask what is needed and fill up those trucks and get those supplies down there !!”
July 10, 2024, at 1:34 p.m.
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “Get our roof fixed immediately at the hotel and all leaks now !! All damage !! Get signs , lights on the building Fences up and all damages aggressively worked on etc. But the hotel roof, leaks damage and serious matters of the hotel are all first !!”
Nov. 1, 2024, at 7:34 a.m.
A worker texted the organization’s hospitality group chat on behalf of Brannon, “Michelle said whoever is cooking can get extra rest!!”
Dec. 14, 2024, at 10:11 a.m.
Brannon allegedly texted on behalf of Taylor, “After these memo’s are read, Apostle wants the staff to take the whole day off and rest and party.”
Jan. 6, 2025, at 5:03 a.m.
Brannon allegedly texted in a group chat with workers, “I heard Aneta fell and broke her glasses. She can’t see without them. We need to find out how she fell and make sure she’s ok. Get her glasses fixed for now and maybe she can go get new ones.”
April 1, 2025, at 1:32 a.m.
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “Ok everyone get rest we will meet tomorrow!! Sleep in late until 12noon .. we will meet and start at 1 pm or 2pm.”
April 14, 2025
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “Start at 12 noon .. get more rest to sleep in.”
April 30, 2025, at 9:20 p.m.
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “We will wake up late tomorrow sleep in.”
May 17, 2025, at 8:19 a.m.
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “Sleep in rest well .., THERE WILL BE NO TRAINING.. Sleep in .. Let’s have a barbecue tomorrow and study the word of God on zoom with me at 4pm 6pm ..!! Or at 7pm which ever is better !! Afterwards take the rest of the day off to do weekend stuff you have to do for yourself and prepare.”
May 20, 2025, at 10:08 p.m.
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “Stop now !! Everyone go to bed !! Start at 10am.”
June 15, 2025, at 11:14 p.m.
Brannon allegedly texted a group chat with workers, “I need you all to go to bed we are starting at 8am.”
Aug. 21, 2025, at 6:39 a.m. - four days before Taylor’s arrest
Taylor allegedly texted his executive group, “Tell everyone to Get more rest start at 11am.. I told you’ll it defeats the purpose when the people don’t get the rest they need about 7-8 hours and wake up too soon !!”
Related --> Texts from church leaders reveal treatment of call center workers in Michigan, other states
Other claims attorneys stated in appeal
The filing claims the eight victims listed in the indictment were free to leave the church of their own free will at any time.
“The fact that they did not immediately leave, that they chose this life and to remain with the church, may go to show the complainants’ weakness of character or after-the-fact change of heart, but it does not show that David Taylor unlawfully forced them to attend boot camps or work the prayer line phones,” the filing reads.
His attorneys also note Taylor’s lack of criminal history, citing that he has run the ministry for over two decades without incident and highlighting his achievements.
The filing claims he is a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama and the Spirit of Detroit Award.
The filing asks a judge to grant Taylor pre-trial release or to schedule another hearing at which his attorneys can present additional evidence.
Update on Brannon’s case
Brannon was released on bond last month.
The judge gave Brannon 30 days to show that the Northville home where she is staying on house arrest is not being paid for by church members.
According to a court filing, Brannon tried to move to an apartment complex in Livonia at the end of October, but her application was denied.
Brannon was given an additional 21 days to find alternative housing that adheres to her bond conditions.
Statement from Taylor’s attorney
Taylor’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, released the following statement to Local 4 regarding the motion filing:
“Pastor David Taylor is a man of deep faith and conviction who started preaching the Gospel when he was a teenager of very modest means. Since that time, he has obtained his doctorate and risen to be the leader of a successful modern religious organization, whose faithful adherents travel from around the world to be part of his valued ministry. He has an unblemished criminal record and is an acclaimed author. He has also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama, due to his “lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through volunteer service” and the Spirit of Detroit Award from the City of Detroit, which expressed gratitude to Pastor Taylor for his “exceptional achievements, outstanding leadership and dedication to improving the quality of life.”
Pastor Taylor is a loyal American citizen. We look forward to clearing his name."
Scott Rosenblum, attorney for David Taylor