SEATTLE — The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force arrested a man last week who was wanted on a felony warrant for attempted rape of a child and communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.
Phillip Wayne Pitts, 50, was wanted by the King County Sheriff’s Office for failing to appear in court for a 2024 arrest.
According to court docs from 2024, Pitts was “sexually communicating” with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl online.
In messages, the “girl,” who was an undercover officer, repeatedly told Pitts her age and said she was too young for him, according to the docs.
Pitts, who was 47 at the time, replied to one message, “age is nothing but a number,” but “the law [said] this is not a good idea.”
The teen decoy then asked Pitts if they should stop talking, to which he allegedly replied, “Oh, we can talk; I don’t mind. Don’t tell your mama cuz I don’t want to end up in jail,” according to court docs.
Pitts allegedly messaged the teen with intent to meet up for sex.
He was arrested on April 5, 2024, during a regional operation led by the Washington Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (WA ICAC).
On Feb. 23, 2026, after Pitts failed to appear for a court hearing related to the case, the King County Sheriff’s Office issued a felony warrant with a $100,000 bond, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
On Oct. 27, Pitts was located and arrested in West Seattle. He was later booked into the King County Jail.
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