Man in Prison for Sexual Assault Faces New Child Abuse Charges
A 23-year-old man already incarcerated for a prior sexual assault has been charged with a new offense involving the abuse of a child under 14.
Joshua Daniel Philips, serving a sentence at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud, was charged on Dec. 4 in Dakota County District Court with first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to the latest complaint, Philips allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a 12-year-old girl in March 2023 after meeting her on Snapchat. The victim, now 14, told investigators she had initially claimed to be 14 at the time of the abuse.
The allegations surfaced in May 2024, when law enforcement discovered incriminating messages during a forensic search of Philips’ phone while he was incarcerated for an unrelated sexual conduct case in Wright County.
Investigators say the messages corroborated the victim's statements, detailing encounters where Philips provided her with alcohol and sexually assaulted her in the backseat of his vehicle at a park in Farmington. The complaint further alleges Philips gave the victim a morning-after pill the following day.
The age difference between Philips and the victim was approximately nine years at the time of the incident.
Philips is currently serving a 74-month prison sentence for his conviction in Wright County, where he was sentenced earlier this year for another case of sexually assaulting a minor female.
In that case, the victim told investigators she was introduced to Philips by a classmate. After talking on social media, Philips picked up the female from her home late at night and drove to a park. Philips then told the victim not to cross him and allow him to do what he wants. Philips then undressed the victim and engaged in intercourse with the victim.
He is slated for release in July 2027 but now faces additional charges that carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison if convicted. Philips was given a lifetime of probation for the first assault.
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