PSU's Phillips arrested on sex charges

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- Penn State defensive back Anwar Phillips, who left the school in January for personal reasons, has been arrested on two felony sex charges, university police said.

Phillips was arraigned Friday on charges of sexual assault and indecent aggravated assault, and if convicted could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine on each charge.

University police officer Bernadette Bland said the incident, which allegedly took place Nov. 12 in an on-campus apartment, involved Phillips and an acquaintance. The victim went immediately to the university health center, and the investigation followed shortly thereafter, police said.

Phillips, a redshirt freshman defensive back, was expelled from the university at the end of fall semester, Bland told the Centre Daily Times of State College. After the date that the woman says Phillips attacked her, Phillips played in Penn State's final two regular season games, participated in bowl practices with the team in Florida and played in the bowl game.

Phillips has been released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at the Centre County courthouse in Bellefonte.

Penn State Sports Information Director Jeff Nelson declined to comment Monday night. Phillips played in all 13 games for Penn State, and earned his first of two starts against Indiana just four days after the alleged incident. Phillips had 20 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery last year.

Defensive coordinator Tom Bradley had said in January that he expected Phillips to return for the 2003 season.

There was no phone listing for Phillips in State College or in Germantown, Md., where he is now living. It was not immediately clear if he has a lawyer.