James Phillips, 38, is accused of abusing girl, 11, in 2004. By Gabrielle Finley The Ledger
LAKELAND -- A Polk City man was arrested Wednesday after DNA results provided evidence that he molested an 11-year-old girl in September, the Polk Sheriff's Office reported.
James Phillips, 38, was charged with committing two counts of sexual battery against the daughter of his former girlfriend.
He was also charged with lewd molestation, records show.
Phillips, who has served prison time for child molestation before, is also a registered sex offender.
In September, the 11-year-old told detectives Phillips slipped into her room at about 8 a.m. and sexually abused her, said a Polk County Sheriff's Office report.
DNA found on the girl's clothing matched Phillips, the report said.
It was an important piece of evidence.
Before the results, which were received Tuesday, Polk County Sheriff's detectives found no physical evidence proving Phillips committed sexual acts against the girl, said a Polk County Sheriff's Office report.
The 11-year-old girl gave "conflicting statements" during interviews with investigators, said a Polk County Sheriff's Office report.
Phillips also denied the allegations and told detectives he was at work at the time of the Sept. 7 incident.
A co-worker of Phillips backed his story, the report said.
Phillips has had run-ins with Polk County law before, records show.
Since 1989, Phillips has been arrested for grand theft auto, violation of probation and performing an indecent act on a child.
He also served three years in prison for committing lewd and lascivious acts against a child younger than 16, and another year for violating probation, records show.
