A former firefighter who worked in San Diego County and retired as an assistant chief in Orange County is facing criminal charges alleging he molested two children roughly two decades ago.
Phillip Johnson, 60, has pleaded not guilty in Vista Superior Court to charges of molesting the alleged victims at family gatherings between roughly 2001 and 2008, according to the criminal complaint and other court documents. The girls, now adults, were between the ages of 6 and 8 at the time of the alleged incidents. Following a preliminary hearing earlier this month, he was ordered to stand trial.
Johnson faces a maximum sentence of 45 years to life behind bars if convicted as charged. He remains in custody in lieu of $500,000 bail.
It was not immediately clear what years Johnson worked in San Diego County or with what agency. The Orange County Fire Authority confirmed he worked at its department from 2001 to 2022. Transparent California shows he retired as an assistant fire chief with Orange County.
“Before retiring a few years ago, Phil Johnson had an amazing career as a firefighter and paramedic, both in Orange County and San Diego County,” said Johnson’s defense attorney, Kerry Armstrong. “He saved many lives over his career, and he trained and managed dozens of other firefighters once he reached upper management. He now finds himself in the fight of his life as he faces these horrible allegations. However, he fully expects to be acquitted of all charges once we eventually get to trial.”
In a declaration seeking a warrant to arrest Johnson last fall, San Diego County sheriff’s Deputy Troy Holliday said the decades-old allegations surfaced in November 2024.
According to Holliday, other family members reported they had been molested, but those alleged incidents were past the statute of limitations.
The alleged incidents occurred at a home in Rancho Santa Fe, according to court records.
Johnson is due back in court later this month. No trial date has been set.
Staff writer Teri Figueroa contributed to this report.