Reservoir police officer charged with statutory rape of 13-year-old girl out on bond

Smith County Sheriff Joel Houston confirmed that Rodney Jernigan, a 26-year-old reservoir police officer, posted bond Thursday after he was charged with statutory rape involving a 13-year-old girl.

Houston said Smith County Justice Court Judge Hulon West gave Jernigan a $50,000 bond on one count of statutory rape. Jernigan had his initial court appearance Thursday morning.

On Monday, Houston said Jernigan, 26, was arrested by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office after receiving a "complaint from a concerned parent" about a possible inappropriate relationship between a teenager and an adult male.

Houston said in collaboration with the Cyber Crimes Division of the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and Smith County Investigators, multiple search warrants were conducted on various electronic devices.

Investigators' findings led to Jernigan's arrest.

“We will continue to protect the safety of our children and citizens regardless of who the perpetrators may be,” Houston said.

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According to Reservoir Police Chief Carlos DiPuma, Jernigan is no longer employed with the department.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ross Barnett reservoir police officer charged with rape out on bond