By Stan Welch – A West Pelzer man has pled guilty to two counts of assault and battery in the third degree, a misdemeanor offense. Michael David Jernigan, WM, 46, was arrested on August 9 by Williamston Police Officer Hutchins, according to West Pelzer Police Chief Mike Clardy, who obtained the warrants against Jernigan.
State regulations prohibit a law enforcement officer from serving warrants he has obtained.
Jernigan was charged with two counts against a minor child, whose identity was withheld in accordance with state law.
According to the incident reports obtained by The Journal, third degree assault and battery is defined, in part, as “unlawfully injuring another person, or offers or attempts to injure another person with the present ability to do so” despite requests by the victim to stop.
Again, based on the police reports, Jernigan provided a two page statement concerning the incidents, and later pled guilty to both in West Pelzer Municipal Court. He was fined $1097.50 on each count. He was also served with a “No Contact” order in regards to the victims.
