Federal prosecutors have indicted the founder and several leaders of the House of Prayer Christian Churches of America, accusing the Georgia-based ministry of running a decades-long, $22 million fraud scheme that targeted U.S. military members and veterans.Following the indictment, the FBI on Wednesday conducted a raid near Augusta, Georgia, arresting leaders after years of allegations that the church operated like a cult and preyed on military communities nationwide.FBI Atlanta public affairs specialist Jenna Sellitto confirmed to Fox News Digital it carried out a raid at a home in Columbia County, Georgia, and made authorized arrests related to the church investigation.Sellitto said she could not immediately release the identities of those taken into custody.ROCKS HURLED THROUGH DC CHURCH'S STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS, CAR DESTROYED AS FEDERAL CRIME CRACKDOWN CONTINUESThe charges come after the FBI in June 2022 raided at least three churches associated with the House of Prayer Christian Churches in Georgia and Texas, established just miles from Fort Gordon, Fort Stewart and Fort Hood.Following the 2022 raid, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a forfeiture motion for almost $150,000 claiming the church and its Bible seminary swindled hundreds of military members out of more than $22 million.The indictment, filed Thursday in the Southern District of Georgia, charges church founder Rony Denis and church leaders Anthony Oloans, 54, Joseph Fryar, 51, Dennis Nostrand, 55, Gerard Robertson, 57, David Reip, 52, Marcus Labat, 42, and Omar Garcia, 40, with a series of crimes including bank fraud, wire fraud, misuse of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits and false tax returns.Denis, whose true identity remains unknown but who obtained U.S. citizenship in 2002, is accused of exercising strict control over members through intimidation, manipulation and forced obedience, according to the indictment.STATE REP USED BIDEN-THEMED USERNAME TO DISTRIBUTE CHILD PORN, FEDS SAYLeaders allegedly aided in the manipulation by maintaining members personal information, controlling their finances and orchestrating divorces and property transfers.Dating back to at least 2004, prosecutors allege the church orchestrated "straw buyer real estate purchases," using church members names to obtain mortgages under false pretenses and then transferring the properties to entities under its control.Church leaders allegedly collected more than $5.2 million in rental income from 2018 to 2020 while allowing mortgages to default, according to the indictment.Prosecutors also accuse the leaders of defrauding the VA by falsely certifying students for GI Bill benefits through HOPCC-affiliated Bible seminaries.EXCLUSIVE: CONSERVATIVE GROUPS URGING TRUMP ADMIN TO EXPOSE ANTI-CHRISTIAN PATTERN IN BIDEN FBIFunds intended for veterans education were instead diverted to church leaders and affiliated entities, according to the indictment.In addition to the other crimes, court documents note Denis allegedly aided in filing false joint tax returns in 2018, 2019 and 2020, resulting in claims of hundreds of thousands of fraudulent refunds each year.In a motion to designate the case as complex and exclude time under the Speedy Trial Act, prosecutors claim they reviewed more than 175 bank accounts, conducted dozens of witness interviews, executed five search warrants across four states, and seized more than 100 electronic devices and 80 boxes of documents."The defendants are accused of exploiting trust, faith, and even the service of our nations military members to enrich themselves," said Paul Brown, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta. "This indictment makes clear that using coercion, manipulation, and fraud under the guise of religion will not shield wrongdoers from accountability."More than 200 grand jury subpoenas were issued in the alleged fraud schemes, which spanned nearly two decades and involved 150 to 200 properties, according to court documents.Denis is being represented by attorney Steven Sadow, who was lead counsel for President Donald Trump during his Georgia election interference case. Sadow could not immediately be reached for comment.The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's requests for additional information about Denis' citizenship status and identity.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Friday it lodged a detainer for the federal arrest and removal of an illegal immigrant after he allegedly used a machete to decapitate a Texas merchant.Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a Cuban national, was arrested on Wednesday by Dallas police on homicide charges after he allegedly used a machete to behead a merchant during an argument in front of the victim's family, according to a news release from ICE.He then allegedly proceeded to kick the victim's head "around like a soccer ball," the release said.ICE LODGES DETAINERS AGAINST 3 VENEZUELANS CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER IN TEXASCobos-Martinez is currently being held in custody at the Dallas County Jail. He has a lengthy criminal history, including crimes child sexual abuse, grand theft auto, false imprisonment and carjacking, according to ICE.ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FACING ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES FOR STABBING VICTIM MULTIPLE TIMES AT SOCCER GAMEHe has a prior final order of removal to Cuba, and was most recently held in ICE Dallas custody before being released on an order of supervision on January 13, 2025, during the Biden administration, as noted in the release.The release of Cobos-Martinez occurred because Cuba declined to accept his return due to his criminal record, according to ICE.ICE ARRESTS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ACCUSED OF DECAPITATING ILLINOIS WOMAN AFTER JUDGE SET HIM FREE"This vile monster beheaded this man in front of his wife and child and proceeded to kick the victims head on the ground," Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. "This gruesome, savage slaying of a victim at a motel by Yordanis Cobos-Martinez was completely preventable if this criminal illegal alien was not released into our country by the Biden Administration since Cuba would not take him back."McLaughlin added, "This is exactly why we are removing criminal illegal aliens to third countries.President Trump and Secretary Noem are no longer allowing barbaric criminals to indefinitely remain in America. If you come to our country illegally, you could end up in Eswatini, Uganda, South Sudan, or CECOT."ICE and the Dallas Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

NASCAR driver Christopher Bell dedicated his NASCAR Cup Series victory at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, on Saturday to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered earlier in the week in Utah.Moments after climbing out of his car, Bell announced that his win was dedicated to Kirk."It wasnt pretty there at the end, but we got her done," Bell, the driver of the #20 DEWALT Toyota, said after the win."Most importantly, this weeks obviously been a very tough week. You know, theres a lot on our minds," he continued.OREGON COACH DELIVERS POWERFUL UNITY MESSAGE AFTER ASSASSINATION OF DUCKS FAN CHARLIE KIRK"This one's for Charlie," Bell added.Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on the campus of Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition before he was later pronounced dead.The alleged gunman was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, whose family persuaded him to turn himself in after a two-day manhunt.Other major figures in sports have paid tribute to Kirk since his assassination on Wednesday.NFL TO LET TEAMS DECIDE ON CHARLIE KIRK TRIBUTES AFTER MANDATING MOMENT OF SILENCE IN RECENT GAMELos Angeles Dodgers reliever Blake Treinent, during Friday nights game against the San Francisco Giants, wore a hat on the mound that featured Kirks name alongside a cross.The inscription on his hat read "Charlie Kirk" and a cross was also prominently featured.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMThe Chicago Cubs also paid tribute to Kirk before the teams game on Friday. Describing him as a lifelong Cubs fan, the team held a "moment of reflection" and called for an end to "all political violence."The New York Yankees were the first pro sports team to honor Kirk, holding a moment of silence to commemorate the influencer ahead of Wednesday's game against the Detroit Tigers.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPMeanwhile, the NFL released a statement on Friday addressing a tribute to Kirk ahead of its most recent game, and said teams will be left to make their own decisions about whether to follow suit this Sunday.Thursday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders featured a moment of silence in honor of Kirk before kick-off."Last nights moment was the leagues decision. Its up to the clubs for this Sundays games," the league's statement read.