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Judge Upholds Bond for Michelle Brannon in Federal Forced‑Labor Case

A pretrial hearing is set for Nov. 3 with a jury trial scheduled for Nov. 18 in Detroit.

Overview

  • Brannon was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond under strict conditions that include home incarceration in Northville with GPS monitoring, no contact with church associates, a surrendered passport, and 30 days to ensure her housing is not funded by church members.
  • Prosecutors detailed evidence from an August raid on a Tampa mansion tied to Brannon where 57 people were found living in cramped spaces as agents seized about $500,000 in gold bars, $60,000 in cash, jewelry, foreign currency, designer goods, and multiple luxury cars.
  • Court filings describe a multi‑state operation that raised roughly $50 million over a decade through unpaid call‑center labor in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Missouri, with alleged punishments for missed fundraising goals including food restriction, sleep deprivation, and public humiliation.
  • Recent filings allege Taylor solicited sexually explicit videos from female followers and that minors lived on church properties, while prosecutors also cited militaristic rhetoric and armed security at a Houston site; Brannon has pleaded not guilty.
  • Federal authorities say property seizures are in progress targeting the Tampa Avila mansion and additional locations in Ocala, Houston, Taylor, and multiple sites in Missouri.