Crime
ICE Agents denied entry at Hamline Elementary School in Chicago
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were observed at Hamline Elementary School in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood on Friday afternoon. Their presence occurred just hours after a Trump administration official confirmed that Illinois was among several states where hundreds of immigration-related arrests had recently been made.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova addressed the situation during a press conference, reassuring the community that ICE agents were not permitted to enter the school or interact with students and staff.
“Earlier today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up at Hamline Elementary School,” Chkoumbova stated. “School staff promptly followed CPS-established protocols by keeping the ICE agents outside and immediately contacting the CPS Law Department and the Office of Safety and Security for guidance.
The agents were not allowed entry into the building nor permitted to speak with any students or staff. The bottom line is that our students and staff remain safe, and our protocols were followed correctly.”
In response to the incident, members of the nonprofit organization Increase the Peace’s Rapid Response Team also arrived at the scene to provide support to concerned families and community members.
Hamline Elementary School Principal Natasha Ortega emphasized the school’s commitment to safeguarding its students and maintaining a secure learning environment.
“I am incredibly grateful to our Hamline staff for their swift actions in upholding our safety protocols and ensuring the well-being of our students,” Ortega said. “We will not open our doors to ICE unnecessarily.
Our priority is to protect our children and ensure they continue to receive an excellent education. We stand in solidarity with our families and the Back of the Yards community.”
The incident has sparked renewed concerns within Chicago’s immigrant communities, though officials have not confirmed any enforcement actions or raids taking place at the school or in the surrounding area.
CPS has reiterated its commitment to supporting immigrant families, reminding them of their rights and offering resources to address any concerns related to immigration enforcement activities.
Crime
Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.
According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.
The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.
The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”
Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.
Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.
His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.
In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.
The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.
Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.
If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.