Crime
Two Alabama Teenagers Found Fatally Shot in Nashville Woods Identified
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two Alabama teenagers found shot to death earlier this week in a wooded area near Percy Priest Lake in Nashville.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the victims have been identified as Amir Landan Wilkerson, 19, and Jamie Valdez-Garcia, 18, both residents of Alabaster, Alabama.
The bodies were discovered shortly before 2 p.m. on Monday by a passerby walking along a wooded trail near the Lincoya Bay Apartments.
The area where they were found is part of the Army Corps of Engineers property.
Police said both teens had been shot multiple times.
Wilkerson was identified on Tuesday after investigators found his wallet at the scene. The identity of Valdez-Garcia was confirmed the following day.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two teens traveled from Alabaster to Nashville on Sunday — the last day they were seen by their families.
Authorities have not yet determined the purpose of their trip or the circumstances that led to their deaths.
The motive remains under investigation, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463, and a reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more details become 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.