Crime
No weapon found at Cooper City High School
COOPER CITY, FL – Cooper City High School was placed on lockdown Wednesday morning as law enforcement officials responded to an investigation on campus, according to school and police officials.
Multiple Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) units were observed outside the school, located on Stirling Road, as authorities worked to assess the situation.
Broward County Public Schools confirmed that the lockdown was initiated after the school received a tip that prompted an immediate security response.
However, no additional details regarding the nature of the tip were immediately provided.
Following a thorough search of the campus, authorities confirmed that no weapons were found.
The school has since transitioned from a lockdown to a “secure status”, meaning normal activities can resume within the building, but external doors remain locked as a precaution.
Officials have reassured parents and the community that all students and staff are safe, and there is currently no active threat.
“The safety and security of our students and staff remain our top priority,” a school official stated. “We appreciate the cooperation of our students, staff, and law enforcement as this situation was handled swiftly.”
Authorities have not disclosed whether any individuals were detained or if the investigation is ongoing.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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.