Mississippi police officer charged with statutory rape reportedly involving 13-year-old girl

A Mississippi police officer has been charged with statutory rape reportedly involving a 13-year-old girl.

WLBT in Jackson reports that the Smith County Sheriff’s Office arrested Reservoir Police Officer Rodney Jernigan on July 15.

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

Smith County Sheriff Joel Houston released the following statement about the case:

“The Smith County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a concerned parent that a teenager had possibly been in an inappropriate relationship with 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 numerous electronic devices which resulted in the arrest of Rodney Jernigan. Jernigan was charged with statutory rape and is being 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.”

Jernigan is being held in the Smith County jail awaiting an initial appearance.