Philadelphia man faces felony charges after choking, threatening woman with a firearm

A Philadelphia man is facing charges after physically attacking and threatening a former partner with a firearm. Upon investigating the matter, Upper Darby police also found the man to lack a permit to carry a handgun, and also to have a warrant out for his arrest.

According to Upper Darby Police Department, on Saturday, Nov. 22 around 3:18 a.m., they were dispatched to a township home for the report of a domestic involving a firearm. Police said, while on route, Delcom informed them that the man reportedly had a warrant out for his arrest.

Police said that when they arrived at the home, Nathan Demetri Jernigan, 45, of the 2000 block of Laveer Street in Philadelphia, was attempting to leave the scene in a dark-colored Hyundai. However, police, in a fully marked vehicle and in uniform, activated emergency lights and sirens to conduct a felony vehicle stop upon arrival and ordered Jernigan out of the vehicle. 

Upon exiting the vehicle, police said that Jernigan had difficulty keeping his balance and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverages on his person. Police said his eyes were “glassy and bloodshot.” UDPD was able to secure Jernigan in the back of a patrol vehicle as they investigated more details at the scene.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the police spoke with the homeowner who knew Jernigan. She said he’d arrived highly intoxicated and was asked multiple times to leave. Police said, however, a verbal altercation ensued which soon escalated to a physical one in a stairwell.

Jernigan placed his hands around the woman’s neck and choked her, police said. The woman pushed him back, and at that time Jernigan pulled a firearm from his waistband, said police. The firearm fell to the ground, and the woman was able to pick it up and secure it in a bedroom, according to the affidavit.

Police said that the physical altercation continued, and that the woman’s two juvenile sons also became involved. The woman at that time called police, causing Jernigan to attempt to flee the scene. Police said they observed red welling on her neck, which police photographed. Police also took custody of the firearm, identified as a Taurus G2C .40 caliber gun, which contained 10 rounds of ammunition.

Jernigan was asked to submit to chemical testing, which he refused. A vehicle inventory search was conducted and police said they found “three, small partially-empty bottles of wine” in the car. The Hyundai was transported by tow from the scene.

Police said Jernigan had an active probation violation out of Philadelphia, making him a “fugitive of justice.” The warrant was also confirmed, according to police. Jernigan also lacks a valid permit to carry a firearm.

Jernigan is facing felony charges including strangulation, person not to possess or use firearms (fugitive), and firearms not be be carried without a license, as well as misdemeanor charges of two counts of simple assault, possession of an instrument of a crime with intent, and DUI, as well as related summary offenses. 

Jernigan is held in Delaware County jail, unable to post a bail of $250,000. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing  on Jan. 22 at 8:30 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Johns.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.