Norfolk police find rape suspect in Iraq

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Norfolk police say a suspect wanted in connection with the rape of a juvenile female between 2004 and 2005 is under arrest after being located in Iraq.

Officials say Daniel Phillips, 46, fled to Iraq soon after the crime to avoid arrest and began working with computers as a government contractor.

According to authorities, Fugitive Investigators with the Norfolk Police began tracking the location of Phillips last month. With the assistance of NCIS, U.S. Marshals and the State Department, he was located and flown to Kuwait and then Dulles International Airport. Norfolk Fugitive Investigators boarded the plane at Dulles on Saturday and took Phillips into custody without incident.

Phillips, who police say is related to the victim, was returned to Norfolk and is currently in the Norfolk City Jail awaiting trial. He is facing charges of rape, aggravated sexual battery, and indecent liberties with a child. If convicted he faces between 7 years to life in prison.

Phillips declined an interview from jail, but a neighbor who gave her name as Julie said she was shocked. “He’s really a nice man. I haven’t seen him.I see him only on occasion when he returns from overseas. He’s always very supportive, very nice, helpful neighbor.”

 On Thursday, Phillips was in Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Court for a bond hearing. His bond was denied.