ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County businessman is behind bars after the FBI said he was sexually exploiting children in the Philippines through online webcams.
He’s also accused of planning a trip oversees to abuse children.
Roy Thomas Phillips’ email provider helped launch the investigation.
Using a webcam and internet service, FBI agents said Phillips, who lives in Windermere, exploited children living 9,000 miles away.
Investigators said Phillips wired thousands of dollars to the Philippines through online services such as PayPal and Western Union to watch young girls being sexually abused live over the internet.
Yahoo sent a tip to law enforcement earlier this year due to concerns about the subject matter in his email messages.
Yahoo's privacy policy states, “We believe it is necessary to share information in order to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities, suspected fraud, situations involving potential threats to the physical safety of any person."
Last month, investigators learned the IP address for the illegal activity is registered at a business Phillips runs inside this Orlando office building.
Online, he describes himself as an investment banker running a multibillion-dollar hedge fund.
During the investigation, agents said he took it further with messages about planning a trip to the Philippines.
One message to a woman asked permission to rape the “little ones” and stated, “It will hurt the little ones, I think, so we may have to get them a little drunk first."
Phillips’ neighbors said they often see a woman and young children with Phillips.
The FBI has not said if they think there any local victims.
Cox Media Group
