DUNNELLON, FL (352today.com) – A Dunnellon man was arrested Wednesday on multiple charges of sexual battery of a child after the victim, a young girl in his custody, told her mother he had abused her repeatedly over the summer, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Phillip Locker, 41, is accused of sexually battering the child “nearly every night” during the summer of 2024 while she was staying with him at his home on Southwest 160th Court, the sheriff’s office said. The victim, who normally resides out of state with her mother, was visiting Locker for the summer.
|FUTURE GROWTH OF OCALA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Master plan outlines expansion over the next 20 years
During the alleged abuse, Locker treated the child preferentially, pretending she was his daughter, detectives said. They also said Locker took photos of the girl as she exited the shower, claiming he wanted to “remember” her after she returned home. The victim also told authorities Locker showed her a disturbing video depicting a sex act between a woman and a monkey, the sheriff’s office reported.
At the end of the summer visit, the victim returned to her mother’s out-of-state home. Locker was invited to stay overnight but was asked to leave after he was caught attempting to enter the victim’s bedroom, the sheriff’s office said.
A month later, he returned to the home and was discovered outside the victim’s bedroom window dressed in all black clothing, according to the report.
Locker was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of sexual battery of a child under 12 by a person in custodial authority, use of a child for sexual performance, and showing obscene material to a child. As of this report, no bond had been set.