Union man charged with 4 counts of statutory rape

A Union man is out on bond after he was arrested and charged with four counts of statutory rape of a 15-year-old female from Attala County, according to Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark.

The man, Vernon Whittington, Jr., 25, of 12711 Road 339, Union, was arrested and charged with four counts of statutory rape.

Clark said Whittington turned himself in on Friday, Oct. 21. Jail records show he bonded out two days later on $100,000, or $25,000 on each count.

The victim has been identified only as a family friend who lives in Attala County. Clark said the victim’s mother initially discovered evidence that includes social media interactions, text messages and physical evidence that the two had had contact.

Clark said over the course of their investigation his office determined the girl and Whittington had made contact four times between January and September of this year at Whittington's residence off Road 339.

Clark said the mother initially reported the alleged crime to Attala County officials and that further charges may be pending in that jurisdiction.