MARTINEZ, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The FBI and Columbia County deputies raided a West Lake mansion Wednesday, arresting the leader of the House of Prayer — a group critics call a cult that scams veterans out of benefits.

Columbia County deputies assisted with the raid at 3816 Honors Way, but said it’s a Federal Bureau of Investigation case.

The alleged crimes involved financial or identity theft and fraud, authorities said.

Rony Denis, founder of the House of Prayer, was taken into custody.

He’s one of eight House of Prayer leaders indicted in various fraud schemes and tax charges, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The department will announce the unsealing of the indictment at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

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