News Summary
Rony Denis, leader of the House of Prayer Christian Churches, was arrested following a federal investigation into fraud and identity theft targeting veterans. The indictment names eight church affiliates and highlights allegations including bank fraud and manipulation of members for personal gain. Authorities are calling for victims to come forward as they continue to investigate the church’s practices and prior accusations related to fraudulent activities.
Augusta, Georgia – Rony Denis, the leader of the House of Prayer Christian Churches, was arrested following a significant federal investigation into allegations of fraud and identity theft targeting veterans. The indictment names eight individuals affiliated with the church and culminates a lengthy investigation, which included previous FBI raids conducted in 2021.
The federal indictment against Denis includes 26 counts related to a wide range of fraudulent activities, including identity theft, bank fraud, and wire fraud. The authorities executed a raid on a mansion in Martinez, Georgia, associated with Denis before his arrest. He is currently being held in Jefferson County Jail.
Allegations against Denis date back to 1983 when he allegedly stole another individual’s identity and has since been using that identity to operate his church. The House of Prayer was founded by Denis in 2002 in Louisiana and has drawn scrutiny from federal authorities since 2004. It has been described as a scam and a cult by former members and has multiple locations, mostly situated near military installations.
The church has faced numerous accusations related to fraudulent activities, including a prior raid in 2021 targeting its links to veterans’ benefit fraud. Investigators claim that around $23 million in educational benefits intended for veterans was funneled into church accounts while failing to meet promised educational commitments. The church allegedly manipulated members into providing their personal information and pressured them into arranged relationships orchestrated by church leaders.
Additional claims suggest that the church maintained a derogatory “list of ex-HOPCC traitors,” leading to public humiliation of members who violated internal rules. Reports indicate that between 2018 and 2020, more than $5.2 million was generated from rental income connected to fraudulent real estate transactions, wherein church leaders misused members as “straw buyers.”
Furthermore, the indictment accuses the House of Prayer of underreporting its income on tax returns for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. Denis is specifically alleged to have aided in the preparation of these falsified tax returns. Alongside Denis, other individuals indicted for similar fraudulent activities include Anthony Oloans, Joseph Fryar, Dennis Nostrant, Gerard Robertson, David Reip, Marcus Labat, and Omar Garcia.
The charges brought against Denis and his associates include conspiracy to commit bank fraud, wire fraud, and tax fraud, which could result in penalties reaching several decades in prison. Federal authorities are actively seeking additional victims who may have fallen prey to the House of Prayer’s questionable practices, underscoring the ongoing investigation and the extensive history of alleged misconduct associated with the church.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are appealing to the public for information that may further illuminate the situation and assist in the identification of other potential victims of the alleged fraud and abuse perpetuated by the House of Prayer.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
FBI Raids Mansion Linked to House of Prayer Fraud Scheme
Significant FBI Raid on Controversial Religious Organization
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Stolen Name, Stolen Benefits
- Wikipedia: Fraud
- WTOC: FBI Arrests Leader of House of Prayer
- Google Search: FBI House of Prayer Rony Denis
- Augusta Chronicle: FBI Pastor Arrested
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Identity Theft
- ABC News: Indictment Charges Church Leaders
- Google Scholar: Rony Denis House of Prayer
- The Augusta Press: West Lake Raid
- Google News: House of Prayer Fraud
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.
