Televangelist David Taylor allegedly urged followers to hurt themselves, police

Televangelist David E. Taylor, who was arrested by federal authorities on multiple charges connected to a forced labor and money laundering conspiracy last month, allegedly encouraged his followers to hurt themselves and the police.

The allegations were made by prosecutors in a new court filing in the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division last Friday, according to a Local 4 report.

Taylor’s ministry, Joshua Media Ministries International, which also runs the Kingdom of God Global Church, reportedly ran call centers that solicited donations every day in Michigan and other states, including Florida, Texas and Missouri. His followers were allegedly forced to work at the call centers as Taylor’s “armor bearers.” The new court filing alleges that Taylor brought up the Michigan Attorney General’s Office in conversation with his followers and warned them about how they should respond if federal authorities entered the ministry’s operation.

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