DETROIT – Prosecutors released six text messages that they say shows the complete control David Taylor had over his call center workers.
The attorneys representing the self-proclaimed church leader -- who’s accused of taking over the lives of his followers -- asked a judge in early November to reconsider a detention order requiring him to stay in custody while he awaits trial.
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Now, prosecutors are asking the judge to deny that request.
A judge denied Taylor’s bond during a hearing in October, ruling that he should be kept in custody to limit his contact with church members as court proceedings continue.
Previous coverage --> Attorneys for former church leader David Taylor ask judge to reconsider detention order in Michigan
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.
What defense claims
Taylor’s attorneys filed a motion appealing the detention order, claiming 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.
Related --> Feds detail working conditions of church workers in Michigan, other states in forced labor case
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 addressed 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 read.
Read more --> The 14 texts David Taylor’s attorneys gave judge claiming he did not control call center workers
Taylor’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, released the following statement to Local 4 on Nov. 6, 2025, 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
Prosecutors respond to motion appeal
Prosecutors filed a motion on Nov. 26, 2025, asking the judge to deny the detention reconsideration motion, stating Taylor was not able to satisfy the standard under the Bail Reform Act and provided texts that contradict his attorneys’ claims that he did not control the organization’s workers.
According to prosecutors, the texts Taylor’s attorneys submitted to support their claim that he did not control the organization’s workers not only demonstrated that he directed the workers when and for how long workers were permitted to sleep and eat, but the select texts in isolation are also “misleading.”
In the filing prosecutors submitted, they displayed some of the text messages Taylor’s attorneys provided and prosecutors provided additional text messages that contradict their claims.
Prosecutors displayed the following text that Taylor’s attorneys submitted for their motion for reconsideration:
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.”
Prosecutors said Taylor sent out the following text just eight hours before the text provided above to the same group:
May 17, 2025, at 12:50 a.m.
“BOTTOM APPRENTICE EARNERS Your numbers show that you are lazy, inconsistent up and down, not stable on a daily basis! It’s time for you to be forced with greater hard labour to get you out of this rutt to be obedient!! It’s time for you to suffer ! THESE BELOW MUST BE PUNISHED AND PRESSURED TO DO THEIR WORK HERE !! I want intense consequences of intense hard Labor Day after day night after night for these below until they obey and decided that this is easier to do Gods work inside than being outside on the street4 !! Cut out giving them the best food etc! Keep them on a resident michelle until they obey consistently!! With the top apprentices they just need more training to overcome and consequences on the street at times to force them to obey and go to the next level but these bottom they are just rebellious and have to get strict consequences until they obey !! [list of 12 member names follows]”
Shortly before that, prosecutors said Taylor sent the following text to the same group:
May 16, 2025, at 11:58 p.m.
“If the bottom 6 don’t push to bring in at least $7.5k to $8k a day you are not doing your work !! . . . . I’m going to start putting you on the street to do hard labour if you don’t stop this dragging and not paying attention to reach your numbers !! GROUP #2 - BOTTOM 6 TOP 🔝 CONNECTORS AND CLOSERS The Top 🔝 3 should be bringing in no less that $15k to $20k per day with their training !! I’m going to do the same to them if they don’t stop bringing in low numbers beneath this everyday!!"
Taylor’s attorney provided the following text to support their claim:
May 20, 2025, at 10:08 p.m.
“Stop now !! Everyone go to bed !! Start at 10am.”
Prosecutors said the following text was sent to the same group just minutes later:
May 20, 2025, at 10:12 p.m.
“Tomorrow is the day to reset and catch up your rest so you can do your work !! No one but [worker name] and [worker name] stay outside! I’m giving everyone a chance to get rest and do their job tomorrow or else you’re going outside !! But I still need to see the list from today to see how each one did !!”
Prosecutors said Taylor then texted the same group earlier that day:
May 20, 2025, at 1:32 a.m.
“✅ JUDGEMENT AND PUNISHMENT STANDARD
In order to not get put on the street
WHAT IM LOOKING FOR IN YOUR NUMBERS ..
- Your CLOSING numbers must show at the level they should for the abilities and skills for the level you’re on and that you have learned and been trained . . . .
PUT OUTDOORS
- [name of worker] - numbers too low - rebellion level
- [name of worker] - numbers too low - disobedient level
- [name of worker]- numbers to low - disobedient level and rebellion
- [name of worker] - numbers very low - Rebellion and stubborn level
- [name of worker]- numbers very low - Rebellion and stubborn level
- [name of worker] - numbers very low - rebellion and stubborn level
- [name of worker] - numbers too low for the skills and level you supposed to be striving for - disobedient
[Names of two workers] needs to be put out together tonight but separately for 3 days !! I’m done talking with them !! Their numbers are at a very evil 😈 level and dimension after talking to them !! I want them picking up trash for 3 days straight .. find their own food etc !! [Name of worker] numbers should be higher than that !!"
Taylor’s attorneys also provided the following text to support their claim:
Aug. 21, 2025, at 6:39 a.m. - four days before Taylor’s arrest
“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 !!”
Prosecutors said Taylor sent the following text to the same group hours later:
Aug. 21, 2025, at 10:17 p.m.
[worker name] you are only at 2k all day !! You going outside tonight Everyone send stats in [on money raised] !
Earlier, prosecutors said Taylor gave the group a long message, including the following:
Aug. 19, 2025, at 10:25 p.m.
“✅ ‼ READ OUT LOUD !! NOW !!
QUESTION ??
Why are we only at $18k tonight !?? Michelle and you floor managers get on top of this !! What’s the freak is going on ? I asked a questioned ! Why are things soo low !!? Finding out ?? You as a floor manager should know !! It shows you are not on top of them !! . . . . NOW FIND THE FREAK OUT WHAT HAPPENED!! These are all excuses and lies !! Because when all of you are doing bad it’s because you all are doing evil and disfocused especially when michelle is not over you making you do what you know you should be doing !! I don’t buy your lies !! You’ve all been doing this too long to mess up a major day !! I can’t believe you would lie to me to my face !!! I want everyone out doors picking up trash starting with the top 🔝 9 for 2 hours immediately after tonight !! After this starting tomorrow all who is doing this will be going on the street for 15 days picking up trash tirelessly!! I’m not going to put up with your crap!!"
According to court documents, prosecutors continue to claim that Taylor did control the organization’s workers and is allegedly involved in a forced labor scheme, citing the text messages they provided to the court. Prosecutors said Taylor’s “coercive-control” over the workers poses a danger if he were released on bond and asked the judge to deny his attorneys’ motion to reconsider the detention order.