The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has charged Reservoir Police officer Rodney Jernigan with the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl.
Reservoir Police Chief Carlos Dipuma said that Jernigan was arrested on July 15. He is no longer with the department.
He is being held in Smith County Jail awaiting an initial appearance.
Smith County Sheriff Joel Houston issued a statement, saying,
“The Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a concerned parent about a possible inappropriate relationship between a teenager and an adult male. In collaboration with the Cyber Crimes Division of the MS Attorney General’s Office and Smith County Investigators, multiple search warrants were conducted on various electronic devices, leading to Rodney Jernigan’s arrest. Jernigan is charged with statutory rape and is held in Smith County Jail awaiting his initial appearance. We will continue to protect the safety of our children and citizens, regardless of who the perpetrators may be.”
Darkhorse Press does not release the identity of victims of sex crimes.
