HOQUIAM, Wash. — A Hoquiam teacher tearfully pleaded guilty to victimizing two young girls by spying on them and sending them sexual text messages.
Wes Phillips apologized in court Wednesday for exchanging sexually explicit texts and photos with two 12-year-old girls.
“Your honor, I want to apologize. As an adult, I should have known better,” said Phillips. “I made a terrible mistake and I am truly sorry.”
Some of the text messages included, "Take off your pants" and "I'm entertaining myself with my hands."
Tiffani Robinette and Lilly Wey said the abuse from Phillips went beyond the sexual texts and photos.
“He’s not a good person,” said Robinette.
“He’s a horrible guy,” said Wey.
The girls said Phillips spied on them through their bathroom windows when they were in the shower.
“I looked in the mirror and (saw him) looking at me in the mirror,” said Robinette. “He asked me and Lilly to strip down out of our clothes (through) my bedroom window.”
Robinette said Phillips once reached through the window and touched her breast.
“He put his hand down my towel,” said Robinette.
In a plea deal, Phillips, who has resigned from Hoquiam High School, will serve 30 days in jail, surrender his teaching license and will have to register as a sex offender.
His victims said they wish the punishment was more severe.
“I would tell him he did wrong and he deserves to be put in prison for a long time,” said Wey.