Man Who Sexually Assaulted Teen In Narberth Convicted

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — A Scranton man who sexually assaulted a teenager in Narberth was convicted and sentenced on three felony charges and one misdemeanor charge, authorities said.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Bryce Alexander Phillips, 21, of Scranton, was convicted of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual abuse of children, corruption of minors, all felonies, as well as the misdemeanor charge of impersonating an officer.

He was sentenced Monday to 36 to 75 months in a state correctional facility, with credit for time served, to be followed by nine years of probation.

On July 6, 2018, Media Borough Police Officer Nicole Young starting investigating a sexual assault complaint involving Phillips and a 15-year-old victim.

The victim was thereafter interviewed at the Delaware County Children’s Advocacy Center.

During the interview, the victim told Officer Young that she had met Phillips through a support group for LGBTQ adolescents. At meetings of the group, Phillips repeatedly represented himself to be a police officer.

The victim and Phillips began to spend time together, both through the group and individually.

However, in June 2018, Phillips demanded oral sex and had threatened the victim with involuntary commitment if the victim did not comply

Due to the victim’s fear that Phillips was a police officer, the victim stated that she felt forced to comply.

Phillips continued to seek sexual favors from the victim after the incident.

An investigation of the cell phone records of both Phillips and the victim confirmed the victim’s account of events.

On September 28, 2018, a referral was made to Childline regarding an allegation of sexual assault involving Phillips and a 15-year-old victim.

The case was initially referred to the Narberth Police Department because one of the sexual assault occurred in Narberth Park. However, it was learned that additional incidents involving sexual assault by Phillips against the victim had occurred in Springfield and the matter was referred to Detective Mark Bucci of Delaware County’s Criminal Investigations Division.

The investigation revealed that Phillips had bullied, harassed and used physical intimidation to force the victim to have sexual intercourse with him. He had also attempted to threaten the victim by representing himself to be a police officer. A review of the both Phillips and the victim’s cell phone records confirmed the victim’s allegations.

On March 4, Phillips pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of children, a felony, and the misdemeanor charges of corruption of minors and impersonating a public servant. On the same day, Phillips had a bench trial on the charge of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and was found guilty.

"The facts of this case are horrible, but its resolution also demonstrates how collaboration across counties, organizations and departments can help us keep our children safe and ensure that justice is done," Stollsteimer said. "I want to thank Detective John Mick from the Lower Merion Police Department, Media Borough Police officer Nicole Young and Detective Mark Bucci for their work on this investigation. I also want to thank Danetta Green from Women Against Rape, as well as the staff at the Children’s Advocacy Center for their work with the victims. Finally, I want to thank Assistant District Attorney Danielle Gallaher of the Special Victims Unit in my office for her work in prosecuting this case."