Crime
Mount Morris Man Charged with Murder in Fatal Shooting of Oregon High School Graduate
MT. MORRIS, IL – A 25-year-old Oregon High School graduate was fatally shot Monday evening in Mt. Morris following a domestic incident, and a 44-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder, according to a press release from the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office.
On Monday, April 21, at approximately 4:59 p.m., the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a shooting at 1 South Ogle Street, Apartment 13 in Mt. Morris.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered Cameron Pasley, 25, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside the residence.
Pasley was quickly transported by the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District to Saint Katharine Hospital in Dixon, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The suspect, identified as Derek Swanlund, 44, was located a short distance from the scene and taken into custody without incident, authorities said.
Swanlund is currently being held at the Ogle County Jail and has been formally charged with first-degree murder.
Additional charges may be filed as the investigation progresses.
The investigation is being led by the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Mt. Morris Police Department, Polo Police Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services, and the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District.
Authorities have not disclosed the nature of the domestic dispute or the relationship between Pasley and Swanlund.
The sheriff’s office stated that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Pasley was a 2018 graduate of Oregon High School and a current member of the school district’s custodial team.
In a public Facebook post on April 22, the Oregon School District remembered Pasley as a beloved member of their community.
“Cameron will be remembered for his easy-going personality, his ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and the calming presence he brought into every room,” the statement read. “He had a bright future ahead of him and was someone who made even stressful situations feel manageable. Please join us in keeping Cameron’s family, friends, and colleagues in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
The investigation remains ongoing.
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.