Police Arrest Man Who Used Threats, Abuse and Drugs to Commit Rape
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala.
January 14, 2025
By Rick McCann
An investigation into possible child abuse and a case of rape unraveled in recent days resulting in an arrest of a man living in Florida but who lived in Baldwin County during the commission of the alleged crimes.
According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the family dynamics involving a husband and wife living in the unincorporated area of Spanish Fort at the time, was one of abuse and threats resulting in forced sexual contact.
Gavin Jernigan, 22, was arrested by the sheriff’s over on Sunday and booked into the Baldwin County Corrections Center.
Captain Danny Steelman with Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigation Division said that the abuse had been going on since June of last year.
Jernigan has been charged with 3 counts of rape, and sodomy but could face more charges once a grand jury hears other evidence.
Investigators determined that Jernigan threatened to kill the child, who is less than a year old, by shaking him to force the woman into sexual relations.
Prosecutors also said Jernigan used sleeping pills to incapacitate the woman and would have sex with her.
Bond was set at $231,000 with the conditions of Jernigan not having any contact with the alleged victims, not leaving the state of Alabama and being under house arrest with an ankle monitor.
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