Crime
Quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond taken into custody
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Austin Drummond, the suspect wanted in connection with a quadruple homicide in West Tennessee, was taken into custody Tuesday morning, according to law enforcement officials.
Drummond’s arrest followed an intense manhunt that prompted a shelter-in-place alert for residents in Jackson, Tennessee, after the Jackson Police Department confirmed a sighting of the fugitive.
Police issued an emergency advisory stating:
“Due to the sighting of suspect Austin Drummond in the area of Saddlebrook Drive and Bridlepath Drive, please shelter in place immediately.”
Authorities also closed the area of Pleasant Plains and Country Club, warning residents to remain indoors, lock all windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel during the active search.
The search for Drummond had intensified over the past several days.
On Monday, Union University was placed on lockdown, and multiple law enforcement agencies were deployed to the area. Roads near Pleasant Plains Extension and Oil Well Road were also blocked off as part of the manhunt.
Drummond had been on the run since Tuesday of the previous week, when four members of the same family were found murdered in Lake County.
His vehicle was later located in Jackson on Friday, leading investigators to believe he remained in the area.
On Sunday night, Drummond was captured on a citizen’s home surveillance system in the 700 block of Pipkin Road. In the footage, he was seen wearing camouflage, carrying a rifle, and wearing a backpack.
One of the surveillance videos shows him attempting to open a door.
Jackson Police are urging residents to continue reporting any suspicious activity by calling 731-425-8400.
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.