MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. – A Palmetto man is facing nearly 20 felony charges after police say he used social media to solicit a minor to engage in sexual activity.
The Bradenton Police Department announced the arrest of 29-year-old Phillip Dorics on Friday, after a nearly 10 month-long investigation.
Police say he used social media applications – including the popular picture and video sharing app “Snapchat” – to get a child he believed was less than 14 years old to engage in sexual activity. He’s also accused of sending nude photos of himself.
Dorics is charged with 16 counts of transmission of harmful material to a minor, along with one count each of sexual performance of a child and certain uses of computer services or devices prohibited – all of which are felonies.
The investigation is ongoing, and police say more charges are pending. The police department is looking for other victims who may have had contact with Dorics to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kevin Bunch at (941) 932-9380 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-634-TIPS.
