Sarasota man accused of molesting children since the 1980s

A 74-year-old man from Sarasota was charged with molesting a child, and deputies say they are concerned there could be victims. 

Albert Phillips was arrested on Friday. On December 8, a 15-year-old victim reported she was inappropriately touched on several occasions by Phillips, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. Some of the incidents began 11 years ago when the victim was 4 years old.

The alleged victim said the incidents occurred when she visited his home at 1707 Tarpon Avenue in Sarasota, detectives say, and Phillips told her there would be “consequences” if she told anyone.

Phillips was arrested in November 2015 for a similar allegation and was charged with lewd and lascivious behavior on a victim under the age of 12 at that time, according to detectives. They say they connected him to an investigation by Sarasota police in 2005 for similar allegations dating back to the mid-1980s.

Detectives say the victims were children who visited Phillips’ home, and they want parents with children who may know him to be aware of the investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office at (941) 861-4900.

Phillips was released on bond Saturday.