The president and chief executive officer of a Richmond-based Web design company is facing a felony charge of theft by deception for allegedly defrauding Madison Bank of more than $15,000.
Jeffery Allen Jernigan, 40, is lodged in the Madison County Detention Center following his extradition from South Carolina on the charge, and appeared Wednesday in Madison District Court for a preliminary hearing.
He is accused of writing three checks on a South Carolina business account belonging to his company, Bulldog Media LLC, and depositing the checks at Madison Bank, where he immediately withdrew most of the deposits, said Detective Chris Short of the Kentucky State Police.
Short, who investigated the case, said the first check for $5,500 was deposited April 30, and Jernigan convinced a teller to allow him to immediately withdraw $5,000 of the money he had just deposited.
Jernigan allegedly made the same deposit and withdrawal the next day, and did the same thing with a $5,800 check on May 6, withdrawing $5,300, Short said.
Short testified he had spoken with a South Carolina investigator who had determined the account had been opened at a bank there with $1,000, but $750 had been immediately withdrawn after it was opened.
The same teller at Madison Bank handled all three transactions, Short testified, and was able to identify Jernigan after he was returned to Kentucky.
None of the funds have been repaid to the bank as of Tuesday, Short said.
Jernigan’s company was under investigation in January by the Richmond Police Department in connection with a $400 deposit paid to the company for Web design work by the owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio on Merchant Drive.
After paying the deposit Jan. 9, attempts to reach anyone at Bulldog Media went unreturned, police said, and no Web design work was ever done.
According to police spokesman Sgt. Willard Reardon, the victim in the case was referred to the Madison County Attorney’s office to file a criminal complaint alleging theft by deception. Reardon said the case report also includes a mention of similar cases being investigated by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins said his office was unable to locate any records of a complaint being filed in any other cases.
State business records show that Bulldog Media, which was an assumed name for the firm I.H.S. Web Design LLC, was incorporated Sept. 24, 2008, and administratively dissolved Nov. 3, 2009, after failing to file an annual report.
The business’ principal office was listed as 223 Tazwell Drive, and Jernigan was listed as the business’ organizer and registered agent. The company’s Web site, which still is active, lists a Lexington Road office suite as “corporate headquarters” for the business.
A pair of phone numbers, including a toll-free number, listed for the business were not in service Wednesday. The Lexington Road office was locked and appeared empty except for a group of potted plants.
Richmond Chamber of Commerce executive director Mendi Goble said Bulldog Media was a member of the chamber for “only a few months” before the chamber terminated the company’s membership.
“They were a member until we decided it was best that they not be any longer,” Goble said. The chamber had received some complaints about the company while it was a chamber member, she said.
Jernigan is lodged in the Madison County Detention Center in lieu of a $20,000 cash bond.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.
Local News
Owner of Web design firm charged with theft
- Local News
-
-
Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
A bizarre drug-fueled standoff at the Richmond Super 8 Motel ended peacefully with no one hurt, including a child who was in the room with a man that police found wielding two knives.
About 1:53 a.m. Friday, police received a call about a man who was threatening someone with a knife at the motel on North Keeneland Drive, according to Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock.
-
Trial for couple accused of human trafficking delayed
The trial for a Berea couple accused of human trafficking involving their daughters has been delayed.
Despite Monday morning television reports that the trial was beginning Monday, it was postponed because the attorneys are not ready to try the case.
-
Richmond man charged with child porn possession
(Editor’s note: The following story contains graphic information some readers may find offensive.)
A Richmond man has been arrested for possession of child pornography as a result of a nearly one-year investigation by local police.
-
Noted author to deliver keynote address for Black History Month
Almost a year ago, Arnold Rampersad stood in the East Room of the White House as he was presented the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama.
On Thursday, Feb. 16, the noted author will stand in O’Donnell Hall of Eastern Kentucky University’s Student Success Building to deliver the keynote address for the university’s Black History Month observance. Rampersad’s visit is also part of Eastern’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series, and the title of his talk, “Black History: The Challenge of Living with Others,” coincides with this year’s Chautauqua theme, “Living with Others: Challenges and Promises.” -
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, which has built 160 homes for people in need since 1992, is seeking applicants for partner families, according to Judy Flavell, executive director of the organization.
“We really need applicants right now,” Flavell said. “More people can qualify for Habitat homes than people realize.”
Eligible applicants must have lived in Madison or Clark counties for at least one year, have a stable income, be able to pay a modest monthly mortgage and be able to demonstrate that their current housing is overcrowded, physically substandard, too expensive, unsafe, or they are living in subsidized housing, according to Habitat.
For more information about eligibility, or to apply, call Habitat for Humanity at 625-9208 or visit its office at 1417 East Main Street in Richmond. Visit online at habitatmadisonclark.org. -
Occupational therapy dept. at EKU offers program for adults with memory loss
For local adults who are experiencing memory loss related to dementia or Alzheimer’s, the Department of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Kentucky University has provided “The Place to Be” for the past two decades.
The department will again sponsor the free eight-week program on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Feb. 9. Participants can attend Thursday and/or Friday. Applications still are being accepted (call 893-0653) for the free service, which is offered in Room 100 of the Dizney Building on EKU’s campus. -
Bible Belt towns in state consider going ‘wet’
In this Appalachian college town where socially conservative views are bedrocks of life, some people want to do what was once unthinkable: legalize liquor sales.
Supporters say passing the measure in Tuesday’s special election in Barbourville would tap a new revenue source in a place where hundreds of jobs are evaporating as one plant shuts down and another cuts its workforce in half. But from the pulpits to the courthouse square, opponents have been pressing their case that uncorking liquor sales would irreparably harm the town of about 3,200. -
Tea party setting sights on state legislature
Nearly a dozen tea party candidates, including one of Kentucky's most recognizable fiscal conservatives, have set their sights on state legislative seats up for election this year.
Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, who finished second in the GOP's three-way gubernatorial primary last year, delivered candidacy papers last week to run for a House seat, hoping to bolster the tea party's foothold in the state Capitol.
Such a move has been slower in coming to Kentucky than other states. -
Trial date set in murder case
The attorney for a Berea man accused of murder has had his client evaluated by an “expert” witness, he said Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.
A report of the evaluation of Mitchell Ray Turner, 34, has been shared with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, attorney Brian Barker said during a pretrial conference in the case.
“The commonwealth would like more information before they decide if they want to do their own evaluation,” Barker told Judge Jean Chenault Logue. -
State financial actions putting strain on MEPCO
State government’s efforts to cut its spending and shift more of its financial burden to local governments, school boards and public agencies is beginning to take its toll on MEPCO, the home health organization run by the Madison County Board of Health.
Last week, MEPCO, which serves residents of Madison, Estill and Powell counties, reported a $455,500 deficit at the midpoint of its fiscal year.
The deficit was recorded even after MEPCO has cut expenses by about $383,000. - More Local News Headlines
-
Standoff at Super 8 Motel ends peacefully
School Staff Removed During Abuse Investigation
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
