Crime
31-year-old Jaylen Reed dies in crash during Tuscaloosa police chase
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Authorities have identified the man who died in a crash during a police pursuit Thursday evening in Tuscaloosa as 31-year-old Jaylen Reed, a resident of Aliceville.
According to Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy, the incident began around 7:00 p.m. when a Tuscaloosa Police Department officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle for multiple violations near Cousette Street and the Interstate 359 overpass.
Reed, who was later confirmed as the driver, immediately fled at a high rate of speed.
During the brief pursuit, he sped through multiple intersections before leaving the roadway and crashing into a ditch and culvert near Tamko Building Products.
Emergency responders arrived to find Reed unresponsive at the scene. Life-saving measures were administered before he was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Officials confirmed that no other vehicles were involved in the crash, and no bystanders or officers were injured.
Due to the involvement of Tuscaloosa Police in the fatal pursuit, the Violent Crimes Unit—which operates independently of the department—was called in to lead the investigation.
They are being assisted by the Northport Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit to ensure transparency and impartiality.
Capt. Kennedy stated that investigators have obtained multiple witness statements and video evidence related to the incident.
He also noted that the entire sequence—from the moment the patrol officer activated emergency lights to the time of the crash—lasted less than 30 seconds.
Authorities further confirmed that Jaylen Reed had multiple active felony warrants at the time of the attempted stop.
The investigation into the circumstances of the pursuit and subsequent crash 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.