Former De Queen Officer Appears in Court on Sexual Assault Charge

Former De Queen police officer Ty Phillips has made his first appearance last week in Sevier County Circuit Court after being formally charged with third-degree sexual assault, a Class C felony.

According to court documents, the charge stems from an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving a woman who had been booked into the Sevier County Jail in late March. Authorities allege Phillips was in a position of trust or authority over the woman and used that position to engage in “deviate sexual activity.”

Phillips, 26, initially appeared before Judge Bryan Chesshir in Howard County Circuit Court last month, where he was appointed a public defender. Judge Chesshir set bond at $50,000 and issued a no-contact order involving the alleged victim.

Phillips has since been released from the Howard County Detention Center after posting bond.

The investigation began April 24 when an adult female was booked into the Sevier County Jail on an unrelated charge. During the booking process, she reported an alleged sexual assault involving a City of De Queen police officer that she said occurred in late March.

The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office said it immediately launched a criminal investigation after receiving the report. Investigators reportedly worked through the evening and early morning hours gathering information related to the allegation.

As a result of the investigation, Phillips was arrested April 25 and immediately terminated from his position by De Queen Police Chief Scott Simmons. Phillips had been employed with the department since 2023.

The case remains under investigation.