Former Pastor Arrested For Molesting Child In His Sarasota Home

SARASOTA, FL – A former church pastor has been charged with child molestation after being accused of sexual contact with a child over an 11-year time span.

Albert L. Phillips, 74, the former pastor of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, was arrested Friday, Feb. 9, and charged with lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under 12, lewd or lascivious conduct on a victim nnder 16 and lewd or lascivious exhibition on a victim under 16.

The charges stem from a complaint made Dec. 8 by a 15-year-old girl who said Phillips touched her inappropriately on several occasions.

She said some of the incidents occurred 11 years ago when she was 4 years old.

During interviews with detectives and the Child Advocacy Center, the teen said the molestation occurred while she was visiting Phillips’ home at 1707 Tarpon Ave., Sarasota. According to the victim, Phillips told her to keep his behavior a secret and threatened consequences if she told anyone.

Phillips was previously arrested in November 2015 after a child made a similar allegation. He was charged with a single count of lewd or lascivious behavior on a victim under 12.

Sheriff’s detectives also linked Phillips to an investigation conducted by the Sarasota Police Department in 2005 in which there were other accusations of sexual misconduct dating back to the mid-1980s.

Detectives are concerned there may be more victims. Anyone with information should contact the Criminal Investigations Section at (941) 861-4900.

Phillips was released Saturday, Feb. 10, on a $22,500 bond.

Image via Sarasota Sheriff's Office