DETROIT – A woman accused of threatening to kill a Detroit federal judge, a prosecutor and an FBI agent connected to the prosecution of church leader David E. Taylor will be undergoing a competency evaluation following a court outburst.
Makeda Charles, 36, of New York, is facing a federal charge after she “knowingly and willfully transmitted in interstate commerce” through multiple communications containing threats to harm individuals involved in the prosecution of Taylor, leader of the Kingdom of God Global Church. The group was previously known as Joshua Media Ministries International.
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Charles, described as a “long-time follower” of the organization, allegedly sent threatening messages via email, text message, voicemail, “or some combination of each” to an FBI special agent, a U.S. district judge and an assistant U.S. attorney.
Read more --> Woman accused of threatening Detroit judge, prosecutor, FBI in case linked to church leader
Charles appeared in federal court on June 12 for arraignment. During the hearing, she interrupted the federal judge numerous times and sought to represent herself in the case, claiming she had legal experience since age 12.
“Have you ever represented yourself before?” the judge asked her.
“I have worked in big law firms in New York since 12 years old,” Charles responded. She also claimed she had been enrolled at Seton Hall University Law School since she was 12 years old.
She also accused the judge of being a fraud, “despicable,” and not qualified to handle her case. She then threatened him during open court.
“You’re so incompetent, despicable, and a s----- a-- judge,” she said in court. “And God absolutely kills you and chokes you and your body rigor mortis, and go to the lake of fire and burn, okay?”
“Don’t waste my time,” she continued. “Don’t waste God’s time. God is, in fact, David E Taylor, who’s on Earth for many many years now and we’re not playing around with you, okay? F--- off, you despicable idiot.”
The federal judge then ordered Charles to undergo a competency examination, while Charles continued to interrupt him.
At the end of the hearing, she told the judge, “Drop dead, God chokes you, take your breath out of your body and you go to Hell. You won’t be alive.”
According to the order of examination to determine mental competency, the federal judge stated, “apparent mental illness made it impossible to complete either the initial appearance or an attempted Faretta hearing."
The court appointed an attorney to represent her until a competency examination and hearing are held. A date has not yet been set for the competency examination.
Background on David Taylor, others
Taylor and Michelle Brannon, 56, are accused of forcing call center employees in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri to endure miserable living conditions. Taylor and Brannon face multiple federal charges, including forced labor, money laundering and conspiracy. Each charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Kathleen Klein, 53, also known as “Prophetess,” also faces charges for her alleged role as a leader in the organization.
Court documents claim that Taylor refers to himself as an Apostle and “Jesus’ best friend.” He reportedly claimed to have had multiple face-to-face encounters with God and that God had given him the keys to the Kingdom on Earth.
According to court records, Taylor and Brannon compelled people to work at their call centers and to work for Taylor as his “armor bearers” -- Taylor’s personal servants who fulfilled his demands around the clock, officials said.
“Taylor and Brannon controlled every aspect of the daily living of their victims,” said the U.S. Attorney’s Office last August.
The victims reportedly slept in the call center facility or in a “ministry” house, and Taylor and Brannon allegedly did not permit the victims to leave without permission. Taylor allegedly claimed regularly that if someone failed to obey his orders and commands, they were defying God and would suffer in Hell.
Taylor also allegedly demanded his armor bearers transport women from ministry houses, airports and other locations to his location and ensure the women who were transported to him took Plan B emergency contraceptives.
Klein, along with Taylor and Brannon, is accused of controlling virtually every aspect of church members’ lives, requiring them to ask permission to leave their housing or call centers and controlling their access to transportation.
“We need people taken to the street,” Klein wrote in one text message sent to a group called “Houston Managers.”
In another message allegedly to a group called “Food Approvals,” Klein wrote, “Low number closers won’t need dinner. They can have PB&J, and to my knowledge, if closers aren’t up, people will be going to the street, so this menu might change significantly.”