Crime
Victim killed in I-10 shooting on Mardi Gras Day identified as 31-year-old Wesley Stevenson
New Orleans, LA – The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans East.
The victim, 31-year-old Wesley G. Stevenson, was found dead inside his vehicle on the Interstate 10 eastbound on-ramp from Crowder Boulevard, according to authorities.
At approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday, New Orleans police officers responded to reports of a shooting on I-10 eastbound.
Investigators later determined that the incident stemmed from an altercation at a nearby store in the 5700 block of Crowder Boulevard.
According to police, two unidentified suspects entered the store where Stevenson was present. Shortly afterward, Stevenson left the location in his vehicle.
The two suspects then got into their own vehicle and pursued him, attempting to cut him off as he drove along Crowder Boulevard.
As Stevenson continued driving, the suspects opened fire, striking him in the head, police said.
His vehicle eventually came to a stop on the I-10 on-ramp, where officers later found him deceased.
Authorities temporarily closed the on-ramp just before 7 p.m. Tuesday as homicide detectives conducted their investigation.
The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office has confirmed Stevenson’s cause of death as a gunshot wound.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
New Orleans police continue to actively investigate the homicide.
Anyone with information is urged to contact NOPD Homicide Detectives at (504) 658-5300 or Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111.
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.