Jernigan Patrick, 43, of Southfield faces four felony counts of distributing sexually explicit material to children and one count of resisting and obstructing a police officer. Prosecutors allege he sent explicit material to children in a downtown Birmingham Snapchat group and assaulted an officer while being taken into custody.
The allegations involve four children ages 13 to 14, according to WXYZ. Prosecutors say Patrick met the group in downtown Birmingham earlier this year and was added to its Snapchat group.
Prosecutors allege Patrick sent one child a sexually explicit video and photograph of himself on October 19, then sent another explicit photograph to the group on October 20. A child who became uncomfortable told a parent, according to the report.
Police Visit and Arrest
Patrick went voluntarily to the Birmingham Police Department on November 5 and allowed investigators to access his phone, WXYZ reports. An investigator reportedly saw videos believed to contain child sexual abuse material during the review. Prosecutors allege Patrick assaulted a Birmingham police sergeant as he was being taken into custody.
The four distribution counts each carry a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, or both. The resisting-and-obstructing count carries a potential penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000, or both, according to the report.
Prosecutor on Reporting
Prosecutor Karen McDonald praised the child who alerted a parent, saying the decision helped protect friends and potential victims, according to WXYZ. She also urged parents to talk with their children and make it easy for them to speak up when something feels wrong.
Michigan ICAC figures
The latest statewide figures reported by the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are enforcement outcomes, not a count of suspected cases handled: in 2024, Michigan had 145 arrests, including 16 hands-on offenders, and 46 new child victims were identified from images. Those figures are statewide and are not specific to this case.
