Federal Grand Jury Indicts Eight Individuals Connected to House of Prayer Christian Churches of America

Strategic Insights -

A federal grand jury in Georgia has indicted eight individuals associated with the House of Prayer Christian Churches of America (HOPCC) on various charges, including bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. According to the indictment, the defendants exploited their leadership positions to manipulate and control church members, forcing them to turn over personal information, marry and divorce at the behest of church leaders, and live in properties tied to the defendants that generated rental income. The indictment also alleges that the defendants used their leadership positions to recruit military personnel into the church, direct them to enroll in the House of Prayer Bible Seminary (HOPBS), and then used their Veterans Administration benefits to funnel money into church-controlled accounts.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eight individuals associated with HOPCC have been indicted on various charges, including bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion.
  • The indictment alleges that the defendants exploited their leadership positions to manipulate and control church members, forcing them to turn over personal information, marry and divorce at the behest of church leaders, and live in properties tied to the defendants that generated rental income.
  • The defendants are accused of using their leadership positions to recruit military personnel into the church and direct them to enroll in HOPBS, and then using their Veterans Administration benefits to funnel money into church-controlled accounts.
  • The indictment alleges that the defendants falsified loan applications and closing documents, used forged powers of attorney, and created limited liability corporations to acquire and transfer properties, generating over $5.2 million in rental income between 2018 and 2020.
  • The defendants are also accused of defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. military veterans of millions in education benefits, receiving over $3 million for its Georgia locations and over $23.5 million for all five locations.
  • Rony Denis, the alleged leader of HOPCC, is charged with aiding in the preparation and filing of false income tax returns for calendar years 2018, 2019, and 2020.
  • The indictment alleges that the defendants maintained a list of "ex-HOPCC traitors," humiliated members for perceived rule violations, and restricted contact with family members who left the church.
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking additional victims whose personally identifiable information (PII) may have been misused by HOPCC.

Statistics:

  • Up to 30 years of imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Bank Fraud
  • Up to a $1,000,000 fine for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Bank Fraud
  • Up to 20 years of imprisonment for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud
  • Up to a $250,000 fine for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Wire Fraud
  • Up to 3 years of imprisonment for Aiding and Assisting in the Filing of a False Tax Return
  • Up to a $250,000 fine for Aiding and Assisting in the Filing of a False Tax Return
  • Over $5.2 million in rental income generated between 2018 and 2020
  • Over $3 million in education benefits received by HOPBS for its Georgia locations
  • Over $23.5 million in education benefits received by HOPBS for all five locations

Sources:

  • US FBI
  • FNU LNU aka RONY DENIS, age unknown, of Hinesville, Georgia, West Palm Beach Florida, and Martinez, Georgia
  • ANTHONY OLOANS, 54, of Hinesville, Georgia, West Palm Beach Florida, and Martinez, Georgia
  • JOSEPH FRYAR, 51, of Hinesville, Georgia and Martinez, Georgia
  • DENNIS NOSTRANT, 55, of Hinesville, Georgia, West Palm Beach Florida, and Martinez, Georgia
  • GERARD ROBERTSON, 57, of Hinesville, Georgia and Martinez, Georgia
  • DAVID REIP, 52, of Hinesville, Georgia, West Palm Beach Florida, and Martinez, Georgia
  • MARCUS LABAT, 42, of Hinesville, Georgia, West Palm Beach Florida, and Martinez, Georgia
  • OMAR GARCIA, 40, of Palm Bay, Florida
  • 26-count indictment filed on September 10, 2025