Crime
New Orleans jail inmate Khalil Bryan released by mistake
NEW ORLEANS — The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 30-year-old inmate Khalil Bryan was mistakenly released from custody due to a clerical error, according to Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
The erroneous release occurred as a result of a misidentification involving two individuals with similar last names, officials said.
Bryan was not scheduled for release at the time, and his accidental discharge has now prompted an internal investigation.
In a formal statement, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson accepted full responsibility for the incident, stating:
“The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office takes full responsibility for the clerical error that led to the mistaken release of Khalil Bryan, and we offer our sincere apology to the public, our law enforcement partners, and the court. This incident was the result of human error: a misidentification based on a shared last name between two individuals. We are currently conducting a full internal investigation, and I can confirm that disciplinary actions will occur.”
Sheriff Hutson further noted that Mr. Bryan is facing a combination of violent and non-violent charges, and that law enforcement agencies are working diligently to locate and apprehend him.
She confirmed that victims associated with Bryan’s criminal charges have been notified, and emphasized that new safeguards are being implemented to prevent future errors of this nature.
Bryan was previously held on charges including:
- Illegal possession of stolen property
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Resisting an officer
- Aggravated assault with a firearm
- Domestic abuse child endangerment
- Home invasion
Additionally, Bryan was being detained on a separate warrant issued by Jefferson Parish.
The New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, and the presiding judge in the case have all been notified of the mistaken release.
Efforts to locate and return Bryan to custody are actively ongoing.
Superintendent Kirkpatrick is expected to hold a press conference addressing the incident and outlining corrective actions being taken by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.
This incident follows a troubling pattern at the facility. On May 16, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail.
All but one, Derrick Groves, have since been recaptured.
Further updates on Bryan’s recapture and the internal investigation will be provided as they become available.
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.