Crime
23-Year-Old Joey Vincent Simmons II Dies in Crash Following High-Speed Pursuit with Arkansas State Police
Bee Branch, Ark. — A 23-year-old Memphis man was killed Wednesday morning following a high-speed pursuit with Arkansas State Police in Van Buren County.
Authorities say the individual, identified as Joey Vincent Simmons II, was the subject of a Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert in connection with recent armed robberies at convenience stores in Conway and Damascus.
The pursuit began around 7:45 a.m. after troopers spotted Simmons driving a Toyota Camry northbound on U.S. Highway 65, just south of Bee Branch.
According to investigators, Simmons refused to stop and initiated a dangerous high-speed chase, reportedly reaching speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.
During the pursuit, Simmons passed other vehicles on the right shoulder and drove into oncoming traffic, significantly endangering other motorists.
Police further stated that Simmons fired a weapon at troopers during the pursuit.
No troopers were struck or injured, and law enforcement officers did not return fire at any point during the incident.
The chase ended when Simmons lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the roadway into a wooded area, where it crashed.
Authorities say Simmons was ejected from the vehicle as a result of the crash.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
His body has been transported to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the official cause and manner of death.
No injuries to law enforcement officers were reported. 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.