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Shelbyville man accused in sex abuse incidents

Sunday, September 27, 2009
By Brian Mosely

Joe Jernigan
(Bedford County Jail photo)
[Click to enlarge]

A Shelbyville man is being held under $100,000 bond after being arrested on serious charges of a sexual nature against a child.

Joe Jernigan, 61, of Richland Drive has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery.

Jernigan allegedly had "unlawful sexual contact with a juvenile female that was 11 years of age," according to warrants filed by Detective Carol Jean of the Shelbyville Police Department.

Separate warrants were filed against Jernigan, which describe the two alleged incidents of sexual contact.

Jernigan is being held in Bedford County Jail and is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on Oct. 27.

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God bless the poor child.

-- Posted by Mommy_of_2_girls on Sun, Sep 27, 2009, at 7:53 AM

can someone say"castration" or will they take years to try to explain his sins?

-- Posted by michaelbell on Sun, Sep 27, 2009, at 8:56 AM

I'm in total sheermany with Mr Bell

-- Posted by raginginferno on Sun, Sep 27, 2009, at 8:32 PM

I'm in total agreement with Mr Bell

-- Posted by raginginferno on Sun, Sep 27, 2009, at 8:33 PM

I guess this is one topic that no matter how many times you hear it, its always completely suprising. I sincerely hope he gets what he deserves in prison.

-- Posted by corywh on Sun, Sep 27, 2009, at 10:49 PM

What a tragedy. Her childhood has been stolen.

-- Posted by nannie on Mon, Sep 28, 2009, at 1:25 AM

What a tragedy. Her childhood has been stolen.

-- Posted by nannie on Mon, Sep 28, 2009, at 1:27 AM

11 years old. What is WRONG with this guy other than a perverse spirit! Good greif he needs to be neutered and branded..

-- Posted by 4fabfelines on Mon, Sep 28, 2009, at 10:36 AM

I hope the victim gets the support and counseling she needs.

-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Mon, Sep 28, 2009, at 10:38 AM

This is a tragedy! Not only has her childhood been stolen she will carry this the rest of her life. It could possible effect every relationship she has unless she herself gets some help in dealing with this. I have to applaud this brave little girl for telling and her family for listening to her! She needs support from them more than anything right now! I was molested from age 4 to 14 by a extended family member and never felt I could tell anyone so my predator was never punished. Now 30 years later I have just been about to reveal it. I pray she gets the help she needs now!

-- Posted by tjay on Mon, Sep 28, 2009, at 10:55 AM

Tjay u are so right. They need to start counseling for her yesterday. I didn't get any til I was in my 40's and when I look back the abuse affected every decisson I made. Most of them bad.

-- Posted by nannie on Mon, Sep 28, 2009, at 1:33 PM

ONE THING IS FOR SURE,THIS LIL GIRL WILL GO THE REST OF HER LIFE DEALING WITH THIS. I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE.YES IT WILL AFFECT ALL HER RELATIONSHIPS FROM THIS DAY ON.SHE WILL HAVE ISSUES WITH TRUST,SHE WILL HAVE A KEEN SENSE OF OTHERS THAT ARE MOLESTERS OR PERVERTS IN SOME WAY FROM NOW ON,..I DO. I CAN SPOT ONE A MILE AWAY.IF EVER SHE HAS CHILDREN THE FEAR OF IT WILL BECOME EVEN STRONGER AND NEARLY DRIVE A PERSON INSANE. THIS MALE FOR HE IS CERTAINLY NOT A MAN BUT A DEMON MUST BE PUNISHED.MY THOUGHTS ON HIS PUNISHMENT IS THAT HE SHOULD BE LOCKED IN THE SAME ROOM WITH THE CHILDS PARENTS,FAMILY AND ALL RELATIVES. LET THEM PICK THEIR WEAPONS OF CHOICE,MEANS OF TORTURE AND THE AUTHORITIES JUST NEED TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY. I WAS MOLESTED AND RAPED AS A CHILD MULTIPLE TIMES.IF EVER ONE OF MY CHILDREN COME TO ME AND SAY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THEM, I PROMISE YOU THE LAW WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED. THE BIBLE PLAINLY STATES "EYE FOR AN EYE,TOOTH FOR A TOOTH. BABY GIRL,YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY WONDERFULLY BRAVE. GOD IS WATCHING OVER YOU,YOUR FAMILY IS THERE FOR YOU. YOU ARE FOREVER MORE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.YOU WILL GET PASSED THIS ORDEAL.YOU WILL BE STRONGER FOR IT.DO NOT LET THIS MONSTER DESTROY YOUR SPIRIT SWEETIE. I PROMISE YOU IT WILL GET BETTER,TALK TO YOUR FAMILY.WHEN YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE YOU CAN TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL. TO THE PARENTS,..LET HER BE THE ONE TO OPEN UP TO YOU,DONT PRESSURE HER.LET HER DO WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO ON HER OWN TIME RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS A VERY SLOW PROCESS AND RIGHT NOW ALL SHE NEEDS IS YOUR LOVE,SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING,..PLS BE PATIENT WITH HER. BLESS YOU ALL

-- Posted by katzeyez1979 on Tue, Sep 29, 2009, at 12:10 AM

AS FOR JOE JERNIGAN,...THIS WAS NOT MY CHILD YOU TORTURED BUT IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE.ALL I NEED TO DO IS RETURN TO MY PAST IN MY MIND AND JUST REMEMBER ALL THAT HAPPENED TO ME.GOD SAYS TO FORGIVE BUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS BEYOND FORGIVENESS. THOUGH I AM A CHRISTIAN,GODS JUDGEMENT FOR YOU IN THE AFTER LIFE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH.YOU WILL HAVE A TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE WHEN YOU GO TO THE PEN,STILL ITS JUST NOT ENOUGH. YOU ROBBED THAT LITTLE GIRL OF HER INNOCENCE,HER TRUST IN PPL,JUSTICE WILL NOT BE PROPERLY SERVED TO YOU BY THE SYSTEM. LET ALL OF US WHO HAVE BEEN DESTROYED BY YOUR KIND DELIVER YOUR SENTENCE.THAT WILL BE TRUE JUSTICE EVEN IN GODS EYES

-- Posted by katzeyez1979 on Tue, Sep 29, 2009, at 12:18 AM

katzeyes...werent u the one on her complaining about people passing judgment on the woman who used meth during her pregnancy! And here u are doing exactly what u said u didnt do. I guess for u, the only perverts and sickos u defend are the ones you know. lol.

-- Posted by Mommy_of_2_girls on Tue, Sep 29, 2009, at 7:29 AM

If the law would actually start punishing pervs instead giving them a slap on the wrist or prison time so they can get out and do it again. Start hanging them or executing them. I know those of you who are bleeding hearts think that it's cruel and mean. But it's not.

Think of the torture that people like him have done to children. These innocent children are going to have this memory for the rest of their life. It can be as simple as a certain smell that will bring everything back. I was abused as well, physically only.

So, the law needs to be stronger, so it will send a message to these creeps that if you commit this type of crime, you are NOT going to get away with it!!!

-- Posted by PrpleHze on Tue, Sep 29, 2009, at 8:32 PM

I happen to know this family and the girl that this has happened to, and yes, it has affected her profoundly. This man, Joe, is guilty, and I really hope that he has not done this to other children, because what happened and where, was very bold and I just don't think this was a first for him.

To the family, my thoughts, prayers, and anything else you need, we are here for you. Love you guys.

-- Posted by upsetatcity on Tue, Sep 29, 2009, at 10:31 PM

well well i to have known joe j for a long time..... and i alway though of him as a friend... but there is a place where i draw a line and it not a fine line either...if UPSETATCITY, is telling the true and i don't know them... all i can say is JOE J. NEEDS a Short Rope and a Tall Tree and let those kind of sex offenders take warning IF YOU DO THAT YOUR GOING TO DIE AND QUICK DEATH OR NAIL HIS MALE PARTS TO A TREE STUMP POUR GAS ALL AROUND HIM AND SET IT ON FIRE AND LET HIM SEE WHAT PAIN IS ALL ABOUT as in my mind joe j. killed that little girls child hood and affected her life from now on.. the the life of her parents too.. and all I AM VERY SORRY MY FRIEND .. EX-FRIEND HURT YOUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER... GOD BLESS AND PLEASE FIND HER SOME HELP and stand by her...

-- Posted by old timer on Wed, Sep 30, 2009, at 5:14 PM

i feel sorry for his wife she is one of my good friends.i never would have thought he would do something like this.it make me wonder about his wifes two girls.i hope they never had to suffer anything from his hands.

-- Posted by okbee on Fri, Oct 2, 2009, at 9:45 AM