FBI Raids Church Mansion Linked to Alleged Cult Leaders

Martinez, California – FBI Raids Mansion Tied to Alleged Cult Leaders

The FBI executed a raid on a lavish $1.4 million mansion in West Lake, Martinez on September 10, 2025, focusing on Rony Denis, the leader of the House of Prayer Christian Church (HOPCC). This operation is part of a broader investigation into a range of alleged criminal activities, including extensive fraud schemes and child exploitation involving several church leaders.

Key Arrests and Charges

During the raid, Rony Denis was apprehended amidst accusations surrounding the activities of the church he founded in 2004. Among the charges linked to this investigation is Bernadel Junior Semexant, a 35-year-old pastor from Hinesville and Savannah. Semexant faces multiple serious charges, which include:

• Enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Transfer of obscene material to a minor
• Receipt of child pornography
• Possession of child pornography

Fraud Allegations Against HOPCC

The extensive investigation into HOPCC also reveals that the church allegedly exploited military personnel by defrauding veterans out of millions in benefits. Prominent allegations include manipulating members into divulging personal information and coercing them into arranged marriages and divorces, all under the guise of religious obligations.

In particular, the FBI underscores how church members were pressured to reside in properties owned by church leaders, generating rental income that benefited the defendants. Additionally, the church allegedly compelled members to enroll in its own “Bible seminary,” using their Veterans Administration benefits to reroute funds into church-controlled accounts. This institution reportedly garnered over $3 million in education benefits for its locations in Georgia and an astounding $23.5 million when considering all five operational sites.

From 2013 to 2021, church officials are accused of submitting erroneous claims to Georgia regulators while denying receiving federal funds, despite profiting significantly from veterans’ educational payments.

The Role of Fraudulent Real Estate Practices

Between 2018 and 2020, the church purportedly earned $5.2 million in rental income through fraudulent schemes, including implementing “straw buyers” for real estate transactions. These operations involved falsifying loan applications, closing documentation, and utilizing forged powers of attorney.

In addition, Denis faces separate accusations of submitting false tax returns for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, which adds to the gravity of the legal issues surrounding him and the church.

Previous FBI Activity and Broader Implications

This recent raid is not an isolated incident; the FBI previously targeted HOPCC in June 2022, including conducting searches at the Assembly of Prayer Church in Hephzibah. Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta, Paul Brown, emphasized that misuse of religious trust and manipulation will not shield anyone from accountability.

In addition to Denis and Semexant, the investigation has resulted in charges against a number of other indicted individuals, including Anthony Oloans, Joseph Fryar, Dennis Nostrant, Gerard Robertson, David Reip, Marcus Labat, and Omar Garcia. These individuals, like Denis and Semexant, face various fraud-related charges that highlight a troubling pattern of exploitation and manipulation reported within the church community.

The unfolding investigation into the House of Prayer Christian Church raises serious questions about the exploitation of vulnerable populations and the accountability of organizations that operate under the guise of religion.