AUGUSTA (GA)
WRDW [Augusta, GA]
September 26, 2025
It appears an alleged cult leader will stay behind bars until his trial on accusations of running a huge scam to rake in veterans’ benefits.
The federal bond hearing for Rony Denis continued Friday after being cut short last week when he became ill.
Federal court records indicated Denis will remain in custody for now.
Denis was arrested a couple of weeks ago during an FBI raid of his lavish Columbia County mansion.
He’s accused of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aiding and assisting in filing a false tax return.
Plus authorities say he stole his identity from someone else, too. They’re not sure what his real name is.
The church Denis founded is known as the House of Prayer Christian Church, but critics claim it’s a cult meant to lure service members and veterans.
Authorities say the aim was to drain veterans’ federal financial benefits to enrich the church and its leaders with such luxuries as an 11,000-square-foot West Lake mansion Denis lived in – one of his three homes – and his use of a Rolls-Royce.
https://www.wrdw.com/2025/09/11/stolen-name-stolen-benefits-details-alleged-cult-fbi-raid-mansion/
https://www.wrdw.com/2025/09/11/pastor-alleged-cult-charged-with-child-sex-crimes/
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- What former members say about FBI-raided church
- Ga. agency pulls GI Bill funding for church that was raided
- FBI raids Augusta church and 2 others: What we know
A federal indictment accuses Denis and seven other church leaders of financial crimes.
The charges include:
- Rony Denis, age unknown, of Martinez, Hinesville and West Palm Beach, Fla.: Charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aiding and assisting in filing a false tax return. Denis is being held in the Jefferson County jail for the U.S. Marshals Service and is supposed to be sent to Augusta on Thursday, according to the jail.
- Anthony Oloans, 54, of Hinesville: Charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.
- Joseph Fryar, 51, of Hinesville and Martinez: Charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.
- Dennis Nostrant, 55, of Hinesville: Charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.
- Gerard Robertson, 57, of Hinesville: Charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
- David Reip, 52, of Hinesville; Charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud.
- Marcus Labat, 42, of Hinesville: Charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
- Omar Garcia, 40, of Palm Bay, Fla.: Charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.