Scott Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Phillip Scott pleaded guilty June 5, 2023, in open court to Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor. With the plea to the Honorable Judge Don Lester, Scott faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. He will be sentenced during a hearing July 3, 2023.

Scott was 36 years old when he met the victim, who was about to turn 16, in February 2021 while she was babysitting for a family whose adult daughter Scott dated. It was discovered during the investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office that by April 2021, Scott was having sexual intercourse with the victim while she babysat. Scott also took the victim to Clay County parks where he would have sex with her in his van. In May 2021, the victim’s mother and family friend suspected Scott was having an unlawful relationship with the victim. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office received consent to search the victim’s phone and found explicit details about Scott’s criminal activity, which led to his arrest.

The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Randi Daugustinis.