Bartow Man Arrested in Brooksville for Unlawful Sexual Activity with 17-Year-Old

Terrell Joseph Phillips, 35, of Bartow, was arrested after a Hernando County Sheriff’s Office investigation found he had engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old runaway from Brooksville, according to a probable cause affidavit. He was charged with "Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Certain Minor." Phillips was released the same day on a $10,000 bond.

Deputies say the incident began when a foster parent reported the teenage girl ran away Friday evening and noted she was a habitual runaway. Using cellphone location data tied to the teen’s phone, deputies located the girl and Phillips in the area of Hexam Road and Blanks Street. Investigators found the teen inside the back seat of a vehicle registered to Phillips, wearing a shirt but no pants.

According to the affidavit, "the minor disclosed having sexual intercourse with Phillips, but that it wasn't forced upon her." Detectives learned Phillips and the minor had been communicating on the social media app Snapchat for several weeks, and investigators allege the two had met in person before, with Phillips picking the minor up on at least one earlier occasion.

During an interview, Phillips acknowledged meeting the teen and admitted sexual contact on the night of the arrest, telling investigators the teen had told him she was 18 and about to turn 19. The affidavit supplied the narrative used in the report and forms the basis for the charge filed by authorities.

The arrest, which took place Feb. 4, 2026, underscores risks tied to online messaging and the vulnerabilities of runaways in foster care. For Hernando County residents, the case raises questions about how adults and minors connect on social media, how foster agencies supervise habitual runaways, and how law enforcement and child welfare coordinate after such discoveries.

Local law enforcement has pointed to cellphone location data and vehicle registration records as key investigative tools in locating the duo. Beyond the immediate criminal charge, the case may prompt reviews of outreach and protective measures for foster youth who leave placements, as well as renewed emphasis on reporting suspicious contact between adults and minors.

This arrest is separate from other recent high-profile Bartow-area cases. In one, a 68-year-old man was accused of sexually molesting a 17-year-old boy and later died in custody; a medical examiner ruled the death natural with no sign of trauma. In another, a 24-year-old Bartow police officer has been charged with multiple counts including promotion of a juvenile in a sexual performance; Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said, "Markanthony Fernandez has embarrassed his community, police department, and law enforcement officers everywhere. In contrast, his fellow officers at Bartow Police Department did the right thing by reporting his conduct. Markanthony Fernandez must never wear a badge again."

What comes next for the Phillips case is formal charging and court processing; the probable cause affidavit is the primary public record for details so far. Residents concerned about youth safety can expect investigators and child welfare officials to address follow-up steps, and anyone with information about similar incidents is encouraged to contact the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.