Former Reserve Police Officer Indicted on Civil Rights and Obstruction Charges

WASHINGTON - Former Velda City auxiliary reserve police officer, Joe Ernest Phillips, 38, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a six-count indictment, which included civil rights and obstruction of justice charges, Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and Catherine L. Hanaway, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri announced today.

The indictment alleges that on or about July 9, 2006, Phillips sexually assaulted a woman while acting under color of law and deprived her of her civil rights. The indictment alleges that after sexually assaulting the victim, the defendant repeatedly lied to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  during its inquiry and concealed evidence in an effort to thwart a federal investigation into his wrong-doing.

If found guilty of the alleged crimes, Phillips faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.  He also faces a $250,000 fine for each felony count.                               

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by special agents of the St. Louis Division of the FBI, and will be prosecuted by Trial Attorney Eric L. Gibson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

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