Crime
Brandon Powell Charged as Accessory and with Evidence Tampering in Lake County Quadruple Homicide Investigation
DYER COUNTY, Tenn. — A fourth individual has been charged in connection with the ongoing investigation into a quadruple homicide that claimed the lives of four individuals, including three members of the same family, according to an update provided by Dyer County District Attorney Danny Goodman on Monday, August 4.
During a court appearance for Tanaka Brown, who was arraigned on charges of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence, Goodman announced that two additional suspects—Dearrah Sanders and Brandon Powell—have now been arrested and charged in relation to the case.
Sanders faces charges of Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder for allegedly assisting the primary suspect, Austin Drummond, after the killings. Powell has been charged with Possession of Schedule VI Drugs and Criminal Conspiracy.
Earlier in the investigation, authorities arrested Giovonte Thomas, who is also charged as an Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder.
All four individuals are believed to have aided the suspect or obstructed the investigation following the quadruple murder in Tiptonville, which has drawn significant attention and prompted a multi-agency manhunt.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement officials have indicated that additional arrests are possible as they continue to pursue leads in the case.
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.