By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

VANDIVER—A 46-year-old Vandiver man is in jail facing two felony sex abuse charges after he was arrested by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office on July 26.

Phillip Gregory Burns, who lists an address in the 800 block of Crabapple Lane in Vandiver, was arrested on charges of first-degree rape and first-degree sexual abuse.

The case was originally reported to the SCSO in June 2014, SCSO deputy Debbie Sumrall said. Investigators presented evidence to a grand jury, which indicted Burns on the two felony charges in September 2014.

“(Burns) travels out of town, so yesterday was our first opportunity to come across him,” Sumrall said of the July 26 arrest.

Burns was arrested following a “tip from a citizen who knew he had those warrants,” Sumrall explained.

“We love citizens to alert us immediately,” Sumrall said, noting following the tip, SCSO deputies were able to locate and apprehend Burns in less than an hour.

According to court documents, Burns allegedly “did on or about January 1, 2006 through November 2012, intentionally engage in sexual intercourse with a female … by forcible compulsion,” resulting in the first-degree rape charge.

Court documents also state Burns allegedly “did on or about January 1, 2006 through November 2012, intentionally subject another person … to sexual contact by forcible compulsion,” resulting in the first-degree sexual abuse charge.

First-degree rape is a Class A felony and first-degree sexual abuse is a Class C felony. If found guilty of both charges, Burns could face up to life in prison.

Burns is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $85,000.