Montgomery County, Texas — Jon Sheptock, a former worship minister and Christian musician, has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges. Authorities confirmed that the married musician, who previously performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.
Sheptock, formerly associated with First Montgomery Baptist Church, now faces charges of possession and production of child pornography. Officials say the arrest followed a careful and thorough investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct spanning several years.
According to authorities, the case was prompted by testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17. She told investigators that he later demanded explicit photographs and pressured her in inappropriate ways.
Investigators say the misconduct escalated when Sheptock allegedly sent the victim a video depicting a violent assault and warned her that he “did not want that to happen to her.” Officials noted that this behavior created fear and significant emotional distress for the victim.
Court documents indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer. Authorities believe that this activity was part of a pattern of misconduct that persisted over an extended period.
Investigators further allege that inappropriate behavior continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message containing a nude image of young girls to the victim. These ongoing actions contributed to the seriousness of the charges brought against him.
The Montgomery County Constable’s office emphasized that the arrest resulted from extensive investigative work, which included collecting testimony, reviewing digital evidence, and coordinating with prosecutors. Authorities described the case as a high-priority investigation due to the nature of the allegations.
Community members and congregants have expressed shock over the arrest, noting that Sheptock had been a visible figure in local religious and music circles. Authorities caution the public to allow the legal process to proceed and refrain from making assumptions before the case is resolved in court.
Following his arrest, Sheptock was booked into custody and remains in Montgomery County detention pending further legal proceedings. Prosecutors are continuing to review evidence to determine whether additional charges may be warranted as the investigation continues.
Authorities encourage anyone with information related to the case to come forward and report potential abuse. They stressed the importance of supporting victims, maintaining vigilance in cases of suspected exploitation, and allowing the judicial process to address the allegations appropriately.