Reservoir Police officer arrested for statutory rape of 13-year-old

Rodney Jernigan (Photo courtesy of Smith County Sheriff's Office)

A Reservoir Police officer has been arrested and charged by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Reservoir Chief of Police Carlos Dipuma said Rodney Jernigan was arrested on July 15 and is no longer with the department. The juvenile victim’s identity has not been released.

Smith County Sheriff Joel Houston released the following statement:

“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 court appearance.

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By Ben Milam

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Ben Milam is a multimedia journalist for SuperTalk Mississippi News. Prior to joining the news team, he spent three years as a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster at the NCAA Division I, NJCAA, and high school levels – including time with William Carey, ESPN+, and most recently as the voice of the University of Louisiana Monroe women’s basketball team. He also is a staff writer for Big Gold Nation of the Rivals Network. Ben is a born-and-raised Mississippian and a graduate of Southern Miss. For inquiries or story tips, email [email protected].