AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – “Rony Denis,” the founder and leader of House of Prayer Christian Churches, was denied bond during a detention hearing Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.

The decision was made by United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia Magistrate Judge Brian Epps, who decided not to offer bond to the pastor whose nationwide church organization is the focus of an ongoing FBI investigation.

As a result, Denis will remained in the custody of the United States Marshal Service pending trial.

The detention hearing for Denis, whose name “Rony Denis” is believed by federal authorities to be a stolen identity allegedly obtained in 1983, lasted for almost three hours Friday, ending after 2 p.m.

There were nine exhibits brought before the bench between both government prosecutors and Denis’ legal team Friday morning.

Denis’ detention hearing was held separately from other church leaders charged in the federal case.  

Six of the defendants in the federal criminal probe into alleged criminal activity by the leadership of the House of Prayer Christian Churches were arraigned in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Epps earlier this week at the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Augusta. Those leaders were granted bond, but had specific limitations that had to be adhered to as conditions to their release, including avoiding communication and contact with other church members and their families.

Defendants in court Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, included Omar Garcia, Marcus Labat, David Reip, Gerard Robertson, Dennis Nostrant, and Joseph Fryar.

They are all charged in relation to various alleged fraud schemes and facing tax charges, as well. Five of the defendants in court earlier this week were based out of the Hinesville, GA, area. The other defendant, 40-year-old, Omar Garcia, is listed as a resident of Pam Bay Florida and is facing charges of Wire Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.

Denis owned a home in Martinez, Ga. where he was arrested during a raid earlier in September. He also had residences in Hinesville and Palm Beach.

Investigators are still trying to find out more about Denis’ true identity and origin. He first became a U.S. citizen in 2002.