A 58-year-old Alaskan man has been found guilty of sexually abusing of a minor boy, but he remains at large and on the run.
On June 9, a Palmer jury convicted Phillip T. Phillips, of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the First and Second Degree and Harassment, following a three-day trial.
The convictions stem from offenses committed in Aug. 2020 involving a then-12-year-old boy. Assistant District Attorney Melissa Wininger-Howard, who prosecuted the case, commended the now 18-year-old victim for his courage in coming forward and seeing the prosecution through after nearly six years.
According to the Alaska Dept. of Law, on the first morning of trial, Phillips fired his attorney and decided to represent himself. After a jury was selected, Phillips failed to show up for trial, and the court issued a warrant for his arrest. The Alaska State Troopers immediately began efforts to locate him, and his whereabouts are currently unknown. Investigation revealed that Phillips had sold his house earlier in June, sold his truck the week before trial, and purchased a satellite phone with an international plan.
Phillips is believed to have traveled to Whittier, boarded a sailboat, and left the harbor. According to investigators, his electronic monitoring device stopped transmitting a signal on the morning of July 7, and he remains at large. Investigators learned that Phillips sold some of his belongings, purchased items for a trip, and told people he was leaving the state.
Based on this evidence, the court found that Phillips had voluntarily and intentionally absconded, waiving his right to be present at the trial. Given the age of the case and the defendant’s deliberate flight, the court ordered that the trial proceed in his absence.
If located, Phillips faces a sentence of 25 to 35 years imprisonment.
TAKING ACTION
— Click here to submit an anonymous tip to the Alaska State Troopers, or call (907) 352-5401.
