A fugitive ex-Las Vegas police officer, Wendell Phillips, stands accused of sexual misconduct in 2023. Despite being scheduled to appear in Clark County District Court on April 11 to face his charges, he failed to attend his court appearance and a warrant for his arrest subsequently has been issued.
The erstwhile officer was initially arrested in November on allegations of misuse of his position of authority. Charges leveled against Phillips include coercion with force or threat of force, misconduct of a public officer, and oppression under the color of office.
One purported victim recounts meeting Phillips in Sunset Park after approaching him to report an earlier incident involving illegal shooting and domestic battery. Rather than receiving assistance, the woman alleges that Phillips conveyed her to a remote area of the park, ordering her to remain there while he departed. During this time, the woman emailed her mother regarding the unfolding situation.
Intriguingly, upon his return, Phillips allegedly drove a different car and wore a distinct outfit. He then took the woman to Santa Fe Station, where he made the alarming claim that she “belonged to him now.”
Phillips purportedly offered her employment, furnishing, and accommodation while cautioning that her past transgressions related to prostitution and theft could result in incarceration. As an alleged form of coercive manipulation, Phillips suggested he could assist her in resolving her legal troubles if she would consent to numerous intimate encounters with him.
Accordingly, they engaged in sexual intercourse in the backseat of his vehicle before an eventual disagreement after leaving the casino enabled the woman to escape and seek help from another police officer.
Phillips’ Arrest Occurred in November
Phillips was interrogated at his residence on the 7th of October. He conveyed surprise at the fact of his investigation, confirming that he had indeed given the woman a ride. However, he posed a different narrative of the events, where he reportedly only provided the woman a ride at her behest. The disgraced officer later admitted to having sexual relations with her.
Formal charges were laid against Phillips on November 16, alongside a bail condition set at $50,000. Concurrently, his tenure with the police was terminated. Phillips was released four days later under specific conditions, including wearing an ankle-monitoring bracelet.
