Crime
53-year-old David Clark accused of killing Dexter Gary in Newberry shooting, kidnapping woman and child
NEWBERRY, S.C. — A Chapin man is facing multiple charges, including murder and kidnapping, following a deadly shooting and abduction in Newberry last weekend.
According to the Newberry Police Department, 53-year-old David Clark has been formally charged with murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain crimes, and unlawfully placing a child at risk of harm.
The charges stem from an incident reported early Friday on College Park Drive, where officers responded to reports of both a shooting and a possible kidnapping.
Upon arrival, officers forced entry into an apartment and discovered 53-year-old Dexter Gary deceased from a gunshot wound.
Investigators allege that following the shooting, Clark forced a woman and a child into a vehicle and fled the scene.
With assistance from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, authorities were able to safely locate the woman and child later that same day in Chapin.
Clark was taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Newberry County Detention Center, where he remains held after being denied bond.
The investigation is ongoing.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Newberry Police Department at 803-321-1010 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
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.