(Note: Excerpts taken from two FJ articles by Rob Snell)
"A Linden High School science teacher will stand trial on charges he is an Internet predator who arranged a sexual rendezvous with undercover officers posing as a 14-year-old girl."
Oh, Mr. Phillips... :: shakes head ::
Paraphrase from his defense attorney: "Phillips, 28, was drawn into the arrest because he is in a bad marriage and was looking for love."
"Phillips appeared in court Wednesday ... His wife and parents sat quietly in the gallery." ...while she entertained thoughts of leaving him high and dry after initiating a vicious divorce sometime in the immediate future.
"If Phillips posts bond, he would be forced to wear an electronic tether and be prohibited from using the Internet and having unsupervised contact with minors." Oh man. Keeping him away from those freshman girls he teaches biology and forensic science to is probably a smart idea. At least it's not house arrest, right? His wife would probably tear him apart.
Kinda strange: "Phillips remained jailed on $25,000 bond Wednesday, as an investigator visited Linden* High School and searched his computer. Visiting Judge Anthony Nicita refused to lower his bond Wednesday, and Phillips was prepared to charge the amount on his credit card. But Phillips' wallet and jewelry disappeared after his arrest, and officials spent the afternoon looking for it." How much you wanna bet his wife took it? I certainly wouldn't want him around if I were her.
Here's one of the best quotes, from Dr. Leonard (superintendent):
"It does seem rather ironic. A teacher of forensic science would probably know this could be traced."
Hahahahaha. It's so true.
The Tuesday headline is great, too: "Linden teacher arrested; Westland man nabbed in Internet sex sting."
I probably shouldn't think this is so hilarious. But for some reason, I do. Maybe because I never had him. If I'd had him for bio or forensics, I'd probably be really freaked out. Tara's quote was the best: "See? I knew there was something weird about him!"
Here are the two articles, if anyone's curious:
Tuesday's story
Thursday's story
*This originally said "Holly," but I think it must have been a misprint; I don't know that he has any ties to Holly High School at all.