PENDER COUNTY — A former varsity softball coach in Pender County turned himself in on Tuesday on charges of assaulting a female.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office received a report on April 21 that Eric Phillips, coach at Topsail High School, had physically assaulted a juvenile softball player. Pender County Schools stated it received notification of the alleged assault on April 24.
“Pender County Schools took immediate action and suspended Mr. Phillips pending a thorough investigation,” the district announcement stated. “The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority, and we take any allegations of misconduct very seriously.”
Phillips resigned from his position on June 7.
Investigators with the Pender County Sheriff’s Office investigated the report of assault and produced their findings to the Pender County Grand Jury on June 26. Phillips was indicted with three counts of assault on a female.
On Tuesday, Phillips turned himself in to the Pender County Magistrate’s Office and was given an unsecured bond and released.
The Pender County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to determine if any other victims or witnesses exist and encourage the public to contact PCS with any information.
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