FBI arrests leader of “House of Prayer” in Augusta

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Federal authorities say they have arrested the leader of the “House of Prayer” in Augusta following a sweeping indictment that names eight church leaders in a fraud and identity theft scheme targeting veterans.

According to an unsealed indictment, the founder of the House of Prayer, identified by authorities as Rony Denis, had been using a stolen identity as his own.

Denis is currently being held in the Jefferson County Jail.

The arrest followed a raid at a mansion in Martinez, an unincorporated community just outside of Augusta.

While FBI officials would only confirm that “court-authorized activities” were being carried out, court records link the location to Denis.

The House of Prayer has long been under scrutiny from federal authorities and former members who describe it as both a scam and a cult.

The church, which Denis founded in 2002 in Louisiana before moving its headquarters to Hinesville, Georgia, ultimately expanded to about a dozen locations.

In 2021, the FBI raided several House of Prayer sites, including the one in Hinesville, as part of an investigation into alleged fraud of veterans’ benefits.

After those raids, Denis disappeared from public view, with some members speculating he had fled the country.

Details From the Indictment

The newly unsealed 26-count indictment names eight House of Prayer leaders, listing their names, ages, and locations.

It also alleges the church maintained a list of so-called “ex-HOPCC traitors,” subjected members to public humiliation for breaking internal rules, and restricted contact with family members who left the organization.

What’s Next

With Denis now behind bars and multiple leaders facing federal charges, the case marks the most significant move yet in the government’s long-running investigation into the church.

More details are expected to come out as the case proceeds in federal court.

WTOC will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they develop.