Crime
24-year-old Hanna Bentley charged in Montgomery murder of 45-year-old Jovon Prince
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A 24-year-old woman from Auburn has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a Montgomery resident on Saturday evening, according to the Montgomery Police Department and recently filed court documents.
Authorities responded to reports of a shooting in the 2000 block of Locust Street at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers and emergency personnel discovered a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victim, identified as 45-year-old Jovon Prince of Montgomery, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The following morning, police arrested Hanna Bentley in connection with the incident.
She has been charged with murder and is currently being held at the Montgomery County Detention Facility.
While the Montgomery Police Department has identified Bentley as a local resident, court records list her address as being in Auburn.
At this time, no information regarding a possible motive has been released, and investigators continue to work to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal encounter.
A bond amount for Bentley had not been disclosed as of Monday morning.
The Montgomery Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the case to contact CrimeStoppers at 215-STOP or the MPD at 334-625-2831.
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.