Columbia County Authorities To Hold Meeting On Release Of Sex Offender

(Portage) Columbia County authorities are holding a community meeting to discuss the release of a sex offender. The county’s Core Team, which evaluates and makes decisions on the level of notification to the community for the release of sex offenders under state statutes, will be offering information on the release of Jonathan Phillips. The 39-year-old was found guilty of First Degree Sexual Assault of Child over 20 years ago. The meeting will be held on July 28th at 7pm in the John Roche Community Room at 711 East Cook Street in Portage. A photo of Phillips will be available at the meeting as well as more details about his offenses. Information about protective behaviors and personal safety in the community will also be discusses. Authorities say because the meeting is of adult subject matter, they request that only adults attend.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 301.46(2m) which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release or change in status when, in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety, awareness and protection.  The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of sex offenses.  Further, his criminal history places him in a classification level, which reflects the potential to re-offend.

This offender has served the sentence imposed on him by the courts.  He is NOT wanted by law enforcement at this time. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

Sex Offenders have always lived in our communities; but it was not until the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Law was enacted that law enforcement is able to share this information with the community.  Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will NOT be tolerated. 

Jonathan M. Phillips was convicted of First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in 1999.   Jonathan Phillips was placed under civil commitment in 2009.  Jonathan Phillips has been under the civil commitment since then.

Name: Jonathan M. Phillips

                Age: 39

                Race: White

                Sex: Male

                Height: 5’11”

                Weight: 307

                Hair: Black

                Eyes: Brown

Jonathan M. Phillips will be residing at N6590 W. Lane Rd. in the Township of Caledonia, Columbia County.  He will be under the supervision of the Portage Office of Probation/Parole (608) 742-4020.  Special conditions of Jonathan M. Phillips supervision: No contact with victim(s); not to consume alcohol or drugs; no contact with minors; Comply with standard sex offender rules; cooperate with electronic monitoring and to a follow curfew; face to face contact with Law Enforcement; comply with all requirements of WI Sex Offender Registration Program.

Additional Sex Offender Information:

Questions regarding this offender or any other sex offenders in the community can be found on the Sex Offender Registry Website www.widocoffenders.org.  You may also call the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry at (608) 240-5830, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Community Supervison Office at (608) 742-4020 or the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (608) 742-4166.