3 Sentenced In Connection With Kidnapping Of Woman In Dearborn

DETROIT (WWJ) - A dangerous kidnapping case out of Dearborn ends with three suspects sentenced to prison.

Terrell Smith, Patricia Jernigan, and Jarron Pittman were sentenced in connection with the kidnapping of a 22-year-old woman in Dearborn.

In October, Dearborn police said the 22-year-old was abducted at gunpoint near her Dearborn home on Sunday by a former female friend and her boyfriend, forced into the trunk of a car before they drove off.

She was able to use the trunk's safety release to get out --- jumping out of the vehicle along eastbound 1-94 in Detroit. Another driver stopped to help the victim and she was treated at a nearby hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Smith was found guilty on all charges; torture, kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery and unlawful imprisonment and sentenced to 42-65 years in prison.

Jernigan pled guilty to armed robbery and unlawful imprisonment and was sentenced to five to 15 years.

Jarron Pittman, the brother of Smith, was charged with witness intimidation for allegedly making contact with the victim and trying to convince her not to pursue charges against Smith and Jernigan. He accepted a plea agreement and is currently serving one to 10 years.

A motive for the crime was not released.