Crime
Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler set on fire by Shotsie Hayes
DANVILLE, Va. — A Danville City Councilman was critically injured and airlifted to a regional medical facility Wednesday morning after being set on fire in what authorities believe was a targeted and personal attack.
According to the Danville Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 11:30 a.m. to the 700 block of Main Street following a report of a man who had been intentionally set on fire. Emergency personnel from the Danville Fire Department and the Danville Life Saving Crew also responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, first responders located the victim and arranged for his immediate air transport to a nearby trauma center. The full extent of his injuries has not been released.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the suspect entered the victim’s workplace, confronted him, and poured a flammable liquid on him. The two exited the building, at which point the suspect ignited the liquid, setting the victim on fire.
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle; however, witnesses were able to provide a detailed description of both the suspect and the vehicle. A short time later, officers located and stopped the vehicle several blocks away and took the driver into custody without incident.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Shotsie Hayes, has been formally charged and remains in police custody.
Authorities have confirmed that the victim is Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler. Investigators believe the incident was driven by a personal dispute between Vogler and Hayes and was not related to Vogler’s official duties as a council member.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Further details will be released 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.