A Florida man has been identified as a suspect in multiple child sexual abuse cases in Orange County dating back to the 1990s and 2000s.
According to the Huntington Beach Police Department, the victim of a child sexual abuse case from the 1990s contacted detectives in October 2024.
A subsequent investigation revealed three more victims of child sexual abuse, ranging in age from 12 to 16.
As authorities continued to investigate the allegations, they were able to identify the suspect. He is 54-year-old George Phillip Ford, also known as “Phil,” and currently lives in the community of Ridge Manor, Florida, about 90 miles west of Orlando. .
According to HBPD, Ford was living in Huntington Beach at the time of the reported crime.
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“The case has been submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and an arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Ford,” police said in a media release. “In November, our detectives worked with the Special Victims Unit of the Hernando County, Florida Sheriff’s Office, and in response to an HBPD investigation, detectives contacted Mr. Ford and arrested him near his residence.”
George Phillip “Phil” Ford, 54, is pictured in a recent booking photo from the Hernando County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office. (Huntington Beach Police Department)
As of Wednesday, he remained in custody in Florida awaiting extradition to Orange County. Huntington Beach police said the suspect was charged with seven counts of lewd acts on a child under 14.
Information provided to investigators indicates there are other victims of Ford. To help identify potential victims, police released a photo of Ford’s 2001 California driver’s license in addition to a recent booking photo from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.
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Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact Detective M. Eskes by calling 714-536-5967. To provide information anonymously, call OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227.
Huntington Beach Police Department officials also took the time to thank the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office for their “support, professionalism and pursuit of justice.”
