Child Molester, Abuser Sentenced To 150 Years In Prison: AG

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — A Hampton Bays man was sentenced to 150 years in prison after being charged with child molestation and child abuse, according to Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.

Jonathan Phillips, 35, formerly of Cranston, RI, was sentenced Thursday by Superior Court Justice Netti C. Vogel to a total of 150 years in prison, with 125 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, for six counts of first degree child molestation, three counts of second degree child molestation, and one count of second degree child abuse, Kilmartin said.

In addition, Phillips was ordered to have no contact with the victims, must undergo sex offender counseling, and, if ever released, is subject to lifetime of GPS monitoring and sex offender community notification, the AG said.

Phillips was found guilty by a Providence County Superior Court jury in May of six counts of first degree child molestation, three counts of second degree child molestation, and one count of second degree child abuse; the jury returned the verdict after one day of deliberations following a one-week trial presided over by Justice Vogel, a release from Kilmartin said.

During the trial, the state proved that on multiple occasions between 2011 and 2013, Phillips molested girls, members of his family, who were both 10 years old when the abuse began, Kilmartin said. Phillips was living with the mother of one of his victims in Cranston at the time of the abuse, the AG said.

One of the girls first disclosed the abuse to a teacher in Jan., 2013; during the subsequent investigation, the second girl disclosed that Phillips had molested her as well, Kilmartin explained. Both victims testified during the trial and provided specific details of the many times they were sexually assaulted by Phillips, Kilmartin said.

"Given the young and impressionable age of these victims at the time and the multiple incidents of sexual assault by someone living with a family member, I believe this lengthy sentence provides justice and protects these girls from ever having to endure a nightmare situation like this again," Kilmartin said.

Cranston Police Detective Michael Iacone led the investigation and Special Assistant Attorney General Ania Zielinski prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.

An attorney for Phillips could not immediately be reached for comment.

Patch file photo.