Crime
Victims killed in Castle Hayne shooting identified
The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) has released further details regarding a tragic domestic violence incident that occurred Sunday morning in Castle Hayne, North Carolina.
Deputies responded to a residence on Bowman Drive around 9:00 a.m. on April 7 following reports of multiple gunshots.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered 35-year-old Aurora Rosendo-Ortega deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
Inside the home, deputies also located 18-year-old Santiago Pacheco-Rosendo, who was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot injury.
He was transported to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center for treatment and has since been released.
During a continued search of the residence, deputies found Avelino Jaimes-Acuna with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He was also transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
According to the NHCSO, the investigation determined that Avelino Jaimes-Acuna forcibly entered the home and fatally shot Aurora Rosendo-Ortega before turning the weapon on himself.
The incident has been classified as a murder-suicide driven by domestic violence.
Authorities confirmed that Jaimes-Acuna and Ortega had previously been in a relationship.
In a statement, NHCSO said:
“Avelino Jaimes-Acuna broke into the home and murdered Aurora Rosendo-Ortega before taking his own life. Santiago Pacheco-Rosendo was shot while attempting to intervene and help Aurora Rosendo-Ortega.”
The sheriff’s office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and encourages anyone affected by domestic violence to seek help from local resources.
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.