News Summary
Law enforcement conducted a major raid on a mansion linked to the House of Prayer Christian Churches. The alleged leader, Rony Denis, faces serious fraud charges for exploiting military veterans. Denis, arrested on identity theft charges, led a scheme using church resources to profit off veterans’ benefits. The FBI seeks additional victims amid troubling allegations of manipulation and control within the organization. The case sheds light on systemic exploitation of vulnerable individuals under a religious guise.
Martinez, Georgia – On September 10, 2025, the FBI and local law enforcement conducted a significant raid on a mansion linked to a controversial religious organization. The raid, which took place at a large residence located at 3816 Honors Way, targeted Rony Denis, the alleged leader of the House of Prayer Christian Churches (HOPCC). Authorities believe Denis was running a fraudulent scheme that exploited military veterans and their benefits.
Denis, who has been arrested and booked into a local jail, is believed to be using a stolen identity. Reports indicate that he assumed the name “Rony Denis” in 1983, and federal authorities remain uncertain about his true identity. He is one of eight individuals indicted on various fraud and tax-related charges, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. A formal announcement regarding these indictments is expected in a news conference scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
The House of Prayer, which Denis founded in 2002 after acquiring U.S. citizenship using his stolen identity, initially established its headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, before relocating to Hinesville, Georgia. The church operates approximately a dozen locations across the United States, primarily situated near military bases. Authorities have previously investigated the organization, with raiding efforts occurring on HOPCC locations three years prior, resulting in the seizure of numerous documents.
Despite sharing part of its name, the House of Prayer has no affiliation with the United House of Prayer located on Wrightsboro Road. The allegations against HOPCC and its affiliates, including the House of Prayer Bible Seminary, assert that the church exploited military members and veterans in various ways. The indictment claims that Denis and his associates exerted extensive control over church members, coercing them into providing personal information and managing arranged marriages and divorces.
Church members reportedly faced intimidation and were forced to live in properties owned and managed by church leaders, generating rental income for the defendants. In addition, the organization maintained a list of “traitors” consisting of former members and publicly humiliated congregants for perceived violations. Members were isolated from their families who disassociated from the church, restricting their contact with loved ones outside the organization.
Veterans were allegedly pressured to enroll in the House of Prayer Bible Seminary, with tuition funded through their GI Bill benefits. However, many did not receive proper education, and their benefits were often exhausted while funds were redirected into church accounts. Furthermore, the group is accused of employing “straw buyers” to conceal the true identities of property buyers, falsifying Veterans Affairs loan applications, and generating over $5.2 million in rental income between 2018 and 2020.
The church is also alleged to have misled the government while unlawfully receiving millions in benefits earmarked for veterans, which was done under the pretense of compliance with state regulations prohibiting the receipt of federal funds. Denis faces severe charges tieing him to the filing of false income tax returns between 2018 and 2020, where he is accused of inflating income figures.
The mansion that was raided spans approximately 11,000 square feet and is equipped with eight bathrooms and seven bedrooms. Prior to the raid, it was listed for sale on Zillow at a price of $1.96 million. Reports from former church members reveal a troubling environment, with manipulative teachings and unfulfilled promises regarding education from the seminary.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office are actively seeking additional victims who may have had their personal information misused by the House of Prayer Christian Churches. The developments surrounding this case shed light on a troubling pattern relating to the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly veterans, within a religious framework.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Stolen Name, Stolen Benefits
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- Augusta Press: West Lake Raid Indictments
- Google Search: House of Prayer Christian Churches
- WSAV: DOJ Indictments in Investigation
- Google Scholar: Fraud in Religious Organizations
- WTOC: FBI Arrests House of Prayer Leader
- Encyclopedia Britannica: FBI
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
