MONTGOMERY (TX)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
September 29, 2025
By Liz Lykins
A Texas worship pastor, who has sung the national anthem for local sports teams and even President Donald J. Trump, has been charged with possessing and producing child sexual abuse material.
Jon Paul Sheptock, the worship pastor at First Montgomery Baptist Church in Montgomery, Texas, was arrested on Friday, the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office said in a statement. He was charged with one count of promotion of child pornography.
Sheptock was immediately removed from his role at the church, the church’s senior pastor, Chris Gober, said in a statement. The Southern Baptist church, is located an hour north of Houston.
“What Jon is accused of is a grievous sin, and it is heartbreaking for all of our church family and the families of innocent children who may be involved,” Gober said. “We will not cover up sin, and we will not excuse it. We will fully cooperate with law enforcement and trust the judicial process.”
Gober added that Sheptock did not have any responsibilities overseeing children at the church, or its affiliated Blaze Christian Academy. Sheptock was occasionally with children in “a large group setting with other adults,” Gober said.
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“We have no information that indicates any of the children in our care were involved,” Gober said. “But we are taking every precaution to protect our kids and to maintain the integrity of our ministry.”
Police first discovered in August that Sheptock allegedly possessed and produced child sexual abuse materials, including videos and images of a child under 18 engaged in sexual conduct. After an investigation, they executed a search warrant against 49-year-old Sheptock on Friday.
When officers didn’t find the pastor at his home in Conroe, they located him more than three hours away at Dr. Lane Murray Unit Prison in Gatesville. Troopers from the Office of the Inspector General took the pastor into custody while he was ministering to prisoners.
Constable Ryan Gable added that, given the “position of trust” Sheptock held, detectives are urging anyone with additional information to come forward. “Constable Gable and his team are dedicated to pursuing individuals who choose to harm our children,” the statement noted.
Sheptock is currently in the Coryell County Jail while awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.
Sheptock worked as recording artist
Sheptock began working at First Montgomery in 2018, according to an archived profile on the church’s website.
He has a “heart for theologically accurate worship and truly wants to see the congregation sing in spirit and in truth,” the website noted.
Sheptock describes himself on his website as a thriving “Christian recording artist and speaker whose message centers on overcoming life’s obstacles through faith.”
Originally from New Jersey, Sheptock was born with no arms and with one leg significantly shorter than the other. He was adopted as one of 37 children by a couple who had taken in many foster children and found hope and resilience through his faith.
“Through his songs, speaking engagements, and personal testimony, he brings hope to prisons, churches, and communities,” his website said. “Proving time and again that faith can triumph over every limitation.”
He said he has sung for the Houston Astros and Texans and performed the national anthem at a presidential rally for President Donald Trump. Sheptock is married and has three daughters.
Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for The Roys Report, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.