ST. GEORGE, Utah, March 18, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — A St. George man was booked into the Purgatory Correctional Facility on Monday for investigation of 10 counts of alleged aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor.
Each count is categorized as a first-degree felony.
Hunter Robert Phillips, 21, was arrested by St. George Police after an officer was contacted by members of a group called Predator Poachers, who allegedly had confronted Phillips about texting a 13-year-old boy, sending graphic photos, and requesting graphic photos in return.
Post Miranda, “Hunter admitted to meeting the 13-year-old boy in an application … then to chatting via regular chat apps all on his phone.”
Phillips also admitted to sharing child exploitation materials with others in a chat group, his arrest document says.
A search warrant was served on Phillips’ phone, and 17 videos depicting child abuse material were found.
“The victims in the videos all appeared to be under the age of 13 years old. I also found and located 34 still images also depicting SCAM of the victims again being under the age of 13,” court documents say.
Phillips, informed of the officer’s intent to arrest him, voluntarily turned himself in. He was ordered held without bail and remains on the inmate roster as of noon Tuesday.
