Crime
Two Men Killed in Separate Weekend Shootings in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Authorities are investigating two separate shootings over the weekend that claimed the lives of two Montgomery men, according to a statement released by the Montgomery Police Department on Wednesday.
The victims have been identified as 20-year-old Javon Holmes and 28-year-old Desanco Smith, both residents of Montgomery.
According to Sgt. Tina McGriff, officers responded to the 2100 block of Mill Street at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, where Holmes was found suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by responding emergency personnel.
In a second, unrelated incident, police responded to reports of a shooting at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Sunday in the 3200 block of Meadow Lane.
Upon arrival, officers located Desanco Smith with life-threatening injuries from a gunshot wound.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities have not yet released further details surrounding the circumstances or potential motives in either case, and no arrests have been reported as of Wednesday.
The Montgomery Police Department urges anyone with information related to these incidents to come forward. Tipsters can contact the MPD at 334-625-2831, the Secret Witness line at 334-625-4000, or Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP. All tips can remain anonymous.
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.