Crime
Miriam Valdez Charged with Manslaughter After Fatally Shooting Damian Bazan in rural Donna
DONNA, TX — A 21-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter following a fatal shooting in rural Donna, Texas, after she admitted to authorities that she shot her boyfriend with a firearm she believed was not loaded.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 20-year-old Damian Bazan.
The suspect, Miriam Valdez, was formally charged on Monday, one day after the incident occurred.
Deputies responded to a residence in the 13000 block of Hermosa Vida Drive at approximately 3:08 p.m. on Sunday after receiving reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, investigators began interviewing several family members at the scene, who stated that Valdez had confessed to shooting Bazan.
According to the sheriff’s office, Valdez later admitted during questioning that she had aimed a handgun at Bazan and pulled the trigger, believing the weapon to be unloaded.
She acknowledged intentionally pointing the firearm in his direction.
A forensic autopsy confirmed that Bazan died from a gunshot wound to the head and ruled the death a homicide.
Valdez is currently being held at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center.
She is scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing later Monday.
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.