Princeton man sentenced in federal court for child exploitation

Nov. 14—BLUEFIELD — A Mercer County resident is looking at three decades behind bars and lifetime sex offender registration after being sentenced Monday in federal court for enticement of a minor.

Eric Shawn Phillips, 43, of Princeton, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and ordered to pay $7,200 in restitution for enticement of a minor, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia. Phillips must also register as a sex offender.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from on or about April 19, 2021, to on or about Feb. 17, 2022, Phillips persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced a minor female to engage in sexual activity with him. Phillips admitted that his criminal conduct included sending numerous sexually explicit messages to the minor female via text messaging and social media messaging apps, according to court records.

"The sentence imposed today case reflects the horrific circumstances of this case and the truly despicable acts of this defendant," said United States Attorney Will Thompson. "I commend the investigative work of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department and the excellent coordination with the Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney's Office."

Phillips has related charges pending in Mercer County Circuit Court, where co-defendant Amber Nicole Phillips has pleaded guilty to being a parent, guardian, custodian or person in a position of trust allowing the sexual abuse of a child. Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney Brian K. Cochran also commended the work of the Mercer County Sheriff's Department.

"We have a great working relationship with the United States Attorney's Office and appreciate all of their assistance in helping us protect our Mercer County kids from sexual predators," Cochran said.

Senior United States District Judge David A. Faber imposed the sentence. Assistant United States Attorneys Julie M. White and Alexander A. Redmon prosecuted the case.

This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

— Contact Greg Jordan at [email protected]

Contact Greg Jordan at [email protected]