FORT BRAGG, N.C. – A Soldier was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to the distribution and possession of child pornography during his court-martial Aug. 21 at the Fort Bragg courtroom.
Pvt. Demarco Phillips, 23, a petroleum supply specialist assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, was also sentenced by the military judge to a bad conduct discharge from the Army.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a CyberTip from Meta in March 2024, informing them that Phillips used his Instagram social media account to maintain a library of 400 videos depicting child pornography.
The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division was notified and initiated an investigation.
A forensic examination of his Instagram and electronic devices revealed that Phillips also used his account to trade child pornographic material with other individuals. Some of these videos included children as young as 4 years old.
“This prosecution demonstrates the Army will not tolerate individuals who contribute to the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. We will use every legal tool available to ensure justice is served and offenders are held accountable,” said Capt. Matthew Ferguson, prosecutor, Second Circuit, Army Office of Special Trial Counsel.
“The outcome of this case stands as a testament to the thorough work of our agents,” said Special Agent in Charge Andrew Johnson, Army CID’s Carolinas Field Office. “Army CID is unwavering in its commitment to identify, investigate, and apprehend anyone who targets or abuses children.”
Phillips will serve his prison sentence at the Midwest Joint Regional Confinement Facility at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon release from prison, he will be required to register as a sex offender under federal and state statutory requirements.
This case was investigated by Army CID’s Carolinas Field Office, and prosecuted by Ferguson and Capt. Charles Prihoda, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 82nd Airborne Division.
About the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel: The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel is composed of specially trained military lawyers, legal professionals and support staff responsible for the expert prosecution of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, kidnapping and other serious criminal offenses. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., OSTC has eight regional headquarters that oversee 28 field offices located worldwide, including locations in Europe and Korea. For more information visit www.army.mil/ostc.
To Report a Crime: If you would like to report a crime, have information about a crime, or have been the subject or survivor of a crime, you can submit anonymous tips to Army CID at www.p3tips.com/armycid.