Thursday, February 10, 2011

Man allegedly abused girl 'bride'

TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

DETROIT — A 54-year-old Fitchburg, Mass., man traveled to
Michigan to have sex with a 13-year-old girl who was his bride in an
online role-playing game, authorities in Detroit said.

Charges against John Phillips of Fitchburg include sexual assault, child
sexually abusive activity and accosting a child for immoral purposes,
Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon said at a news conference.

"I've been in law enforcement almost 35 years now, and this guy is
one of the worst people that I have seen," Mr. Napoleon said.

Mr. Phillips faces a preliminary examination today in Detroit's 36th
District Court. He was arraigned Jan. 13 after his arrest in New York
state and remained jailed in Wayne County.

"I think it's entirely inappropriate what Sheriff Napoleon said, and
what he said about my client," defense lawyer Joseph Niskar told The
Associated Press. He said people should wait until after the airing of
evidence at today's hearing before forming judgments about Mr.
Phillips.

"There's going to be lots of twists and turns in this case," Mr. Niskar
said.

According to authorities, Mr. Phillips met the girl online last year while
playing RuneScape.

"They got married in the game," sheriff's Cpl. Ray Johnson
said. "Maybe he thought that was legitimate in real life. It's not."

Mr. Phillips traveled to Michigan three times to see her, authorities
said.

The girl's mother called police after learning she was using a cell
phone Mr. Phillips gave her, authorities said.

Mr. Phillips avoided arrest while visiting with his father in upstate New
York, Mr. Napoleon said. Mr. Phillips also dyed his hair and grew his
beard, Mr. Napoleon said.

"He didn't want to come back to Michigan and face charges," Mr.
Napoleon said.