News Summary
Rony Denis, leader of the House of Prayer Christian Churches, and seven associates have been indicted on 26 counts of fraud involving over $23 million. The allegations include conspiracy to commit bank fraud and exploiting veterans through a Bible seminary. The indictment reveals a history of financial manipulation and exploitation within the church, raising ethical concerns about its practices. These charges have prompted investigations into the church’s operations and calls for potential victims to come forward.
Augusta, Georgia – A federal grand jury has indicted Rony Denis, the leader of the House of Prayer Christian Churches (HOPCC), along with seven associates on 26 counts of fraud involving more than $23 million. The indictment was made public on September 12, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.
The charges against Denis and his associates include conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, and aiding and assisting in filing false tax returns. These allegations describe a scheme in which veterans were exploited and church members manipulated for financial gain.
Denis reportedly adopted the name “Rony Denis” after originally stealing it in 1983. He was arrested by FBI agents at a home in the West Lake subdivision and is currently in custody at the Jefferson County Jail.
According to the indictment, the fraudulent activities were primarily centered around the exploitation of veterans through the church’s Bible seminary. Victims were encouraged to enroll in the institution, which allowed more than $23 million in GI Bill benefits to be diverted into church accounts. This misuse of funds raises significant concerns about the ethical practices of the church.
Moreover, church members were allegedly used as “straw buyers” in various real estate transactions, generating over $5.2 million in rental income between 2018 and 2020. Those who participated as straw buyers experienced severe financial repercussions, including damaged credit and potential foreclosure on their homes.
In addition to the fraud involving veterans and real estate transactions, the indictment further claims that from 2018 to 2020, the church underreported its income on personal tax returns, with Denis allegedly aiding in the submission of these false documents.
The investigation into HOPCC has been ongoing since 2004, highlighting a long history of concerns regarding the church’s activities. Authorities point out that the church purportedly exerts extreme control over its members, which includes restrictions on communication with family and potentially orchestrating marriages among members.
The federal indictment lists the eight defendants involved: Rony Denis, Anthony Oloans, Joseph Fryar, Dennis Nostrant, Gerard Robertson, David Reip, Marcus Labat, and Omar Garcia. The government has called on any potential victims to come forward, particularly individuals who believe their personal information may have been exploited in any way.
A coordinated raid on the West Lake area led to Denis’s arrest during a recent FBI operation aimed at dismantling the fraudulent scheme. This raid was part of ongoing investigations; previous search warrants were executed in June 2022 at another HOPCC location, further underlining the seriousness of these allegations.
HOPCC operates several locations, predominantly near military installations, and faces persistent allegations of being a cult that scams veterans. The conclusions of these operations and investigations may yet lead to further disclosures about the extent of the fraud and exploitation perpetrated by HOPCC leaders.
The FBI has shared footage from the recent operations with the public, and investigators continue to work diligently to identify and assist victims of the fraudulent activities surrounding the church.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
House of Prayer Leader Arrested in Fraud Investigation
FBI Raids Mansion Linked to House of Prayer Fraud Scheme
Significant FBI Raid on Controversial Religious Organization
Community Rallies for Peace and Healing Amid Tragedy
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Stolen Name, Stolen Benefits
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- WJBF: FBI Columbia Co. Sheriffs Office Raid
- Google Search: FBI raid West Lake
- WJCL: House of Prayer Church Indictments
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cult
- The Augusta Press: West Lake Raid
- Google News: House of Prayer Christian Churches
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.
