Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 02/02/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

FORMER FIREFIGHTER CHARGED WITH
PORNOGRAPHY AND SEX OFFENSES

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Matthew David Phillips was arraigned in the Superior Court yesterday on pornography and sex related charges involving underage children. The crimes took place while he worked as a firefighter for the Bennet Valley Fire Department. He worked as a volunteer fireman for 12 years before leaving his position in February 2005. Phillips was also employed as a public safety officer for the city of Rohnert Park between 2002 and 2005.

The charges against Phillips include filming a minor engaged in sexual acts, exhibiting pornography to a minor, lewd and lascivious acts on a minor, having a minor pose or model for obscene matter for commercial purposes, eavesdropping, and attempting to dissuade a witness.

Judge Cerena Wong ordered Phillips to be taken into custody and set his bail at $250,000. He is to appear in court again on February 3rd for an entry of plea and for a review his bail status.