Crime
Third Person Arrested in Lake County Quadruple Homicide Investigation, Dearrah Sanders Charged as Accessory
JACKSON, Tenn. — A large-scale manhunt is underway in Jackson as law enforcement agencies search for Austin Drummond, the suspect wanted in connection with a quadruple homicide in Tiptonville, Tennessee.
Authorities have surrounded a heavily wooded area near Cherry Grove Apartments and are also searching wooded terrain near Union University off Pleasant Plains Road.
The search has prompted a significant law enforcement presence in north Jackson, including personnel from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Highway Patrol, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department, and SWAT units.
As of Monday morning, TBI Special Agents confirmed the arrest of a third individual in connection with the ongoing fugitive investigation.
Dearrah Sanders, a resident of Jackson, has been charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder for allegedly assisting Drummond after the killings.
Sanders is expected to be booked into the Lake County Jail.
In addition to Sanders, 29-year-old Tanaka Brown and 29-year-old Giovonti Thomas have also been charged with Accessory After the Fact to First Degree Murder.
Brown is facing an additional charge of Tampering with Evidence.
The manhunt has impacted traffic and prompted safety measures in the surrounding area.
Just after 11:00 a.m., the Jackson Police Department issued a traffic advisory stating that Pleasant Plains Road is temporarily closed from Oil Well Road to Country Club Lane, and drivers were urged to seek alternate routes.
Witnesses reported seeing helicopters circling overhead, and several area schools—including Jackson Christian School and Union University—briefly entered lockdown as a precaution.
When contacted for additional information, Jackson Police referred inquiries to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The TBI confirmed that the law enforcement activity is part of an ongoing investigation, but declined to release further details at this time.
Authorities continue to urge residents to avoid the affected areas and report any suspicious activity. The manhunt remains active.
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.