Ernest Drew Phillips, 38, of Saint Leonard, received a 33-year prison sentence in Calvert County Circuit Court for child rape and sexual abuse charges, running concurrent with a 25-year federal sentence imposed earlier this week.
The investigation began in December 2022 when the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit detected child pornography being distributed online. A subsequent search of Phillips’ electronic devices revealed over 500 explicit images, including documentation of his direct abuse of a victim.
The victim, who was 8 years old when the abuse began, disclosed to investigators that Phillips had sexually abused her over four years.
The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a multi-jurisdictional law enforcement effort, conducted the investigation. The task force operates with support from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Rebecca N. Cordero prosecuted the case. Upon release, Phillips will face lifetime supervision as a registered sex offender.
The sentencing, delivered by Judge Mark S. Chandlee on February 7, 2025, follows Phillips’ arrest in 2023 after investigators served a search warrant at his residence.
