Crime
1 Killed, Another Wounded in Plant City Shooting
Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday night in Plant City, leaving one man dead and another injured.
According to the Plant City Police Department (PCPD), officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1800 block of East Warren Street at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man, identified as Johnnie James, deceased inside a vehicle.
A second victim, who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm, was also located at the scene.
The injured individual was transported to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
Plant City Police Chief Richard Mills assured the public that investigators are working diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and to identify those responsible.
“Our department is working tirelessly and utilizing all available resources to determine what happened and bring those responsible to justice,” Chief Mills stated. “We are also keeping the victim’s family in our thoughts during this difficult time.”
Authorities are urging residents in the area to review security camera footage that may provide valuable evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is asked to contact the Plant City Police Department at (813) 757-9200.
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.