MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — The world of Christian music and motivational speaking has been rocked by the arrest of Jon Paul Sheptock, a former worship minister and recording artist who once stood in the national spotlight, performing at a rally for President Donald Trump. Sheptock, known for his inspiring story of overcoming physical disability, was taken into custody on September 26th on charges of possession and production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The detailed allegations, which include a decade-long pattern of misconduct, have shattered the public image of the man who described himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.”
The investigation kicked off in August and was spearheaded by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit. Authorities finally located and arrested the 49-year-old in Gatesville, Texas, while he was ministering to inmates at the Dr. Lane Murray Unit Prison, a women’s facility. According to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, the charges stemmed from information indicating Sheptock was in possession of and involved in producing CSAM, including videos and images of children engaged in sexual conduct.
The most compelling—and disturbing—testimony came from a woman who alleged that the abuse began approximately nine years ago when she was just a 17-year-old high school senior. She told investigators that Sheptock, who was married and a father of three, allegedly stole a nude photograph of her from her iCloud account. After sending the image back to her, Sheptock reportedly demanded more explicit photos. However, it was his next action that revealed a truly menacing side: the victim testified that Sheptock sent her a video of a violent physical assault, accompanied by a chilling statement implying he “did not want that to happen to her.” This alleged threat was a heavy secret the victim carried, fearing her parents’ strict religious beliefs would condemn her for having taken the initial photo.
Court records paint a picture of continued predatory behavior that allegedly spanned years. The victim further testified that Sheptock showed her nude images of both adults and young girls on his computer. Astonishingly, the misconduct is alleged to have continued as recently as October of the previous year, when Sheptock reportedly sent the same victim a text message containing a nude image of young girls. These details underscore a long-term pattern that was entirely hidden behind his public persona as a devout husband, father, and minister.
Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely recognized not only as a Christian artist but also as a motivational speaker who often shared his personal story of being born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other. His inspiring narrative was so powerful that it gained him national exposure, including his performance of the national anthem at a Donald Trump rally back in January 2022. However, the church where he served, First Montgomery Baptist Church, acted swiftly following the news of the arrest.
Senior Pastor Chris Gober released a statement immediately removing Sheptock from all ministry responsibilities. The church initially emphasized that Sheptock did not hold a position involving direct contact with minors and that no church minors were involved. However, in a later update on October 7th, the church was forced to report a new allegation against Sheptock from “an adult connected to our church,” showing the widening scope of the fallout. The church has committed to full cooperation and transparency, urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
Now facing charges of Promotion of Child Pornography, a third-degree felony, Sheptock is being held in the Coryell County Jail awaiting extradition back to Montgomery County. If convicted on all counts, the once-celebrated artist and minister faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years. The investigation by the Montgomery County Constable’s Office remains active, and authorities are strongly urging anyone with any additional information or concerns regarding Sheptock to come forward, as they continue to peel back the layers of this devastating betrayal of trust.