Crime
Augusta Woman Charged with Murder in Fatal Shooting at Cedarwood Apartments
AUGUSTA, GA – A woman has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of another resident at Cedarwood Apartments early Saturday morning.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Keondra McBride, 26, has been arrested and charged with murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in connection with the death of 45-year-old Yolanda Renee Epps.
Authorities responded to a shooting call at the apartment complex, located at 527 Richmond Hill West, shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered Epps suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body.
Emergency responders transported her to Wellstar MCG Health, where she was pronounced dead at 6:44 a.m., according to Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
Sheriff’s investigators swiftly identified McBride as a suspect in the shooting and took her into custody.
McBride and Epps lived in separate buildings within the complex—McBride resided in the O-Building, while the victim lived in the M-Building.
Following her arrest, McBride was booked into the Charles B. Webster Detention Center. However, a mugshot was not immediately available.
At this time, investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting.
The case remains under active investigation.
This incident marks the eighth homicide in Richmond County this year, matching the number of homicides recorded at the same point last year.
Authorities urge anyone with additional information related to the case to contact the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.
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.