Teen Rape In Downtown Manassas Leads To 30-Year Sentence

MANASSAS, VA — A man will serve 30 years in prison after sentencing in a teen rape case in downtown Manassas, according to the Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney.

The prosecutor's office announced the sentence of Phillip Michael Brown Thursday in Prince William County Circuit Court. The sentence relates to the Sept. 1, 2023 sexual assault of a teen at a downtown Manassas parking garage. In September 2024, a jury found Brown guilty of aggravated sexual battery and rape through mental incapacity or physical helplessness. Brown was sentenced to 70 years with 40 years suspended, resulting in the final 30-year sentence. That will be followed by an indefinite period of supervised probation.

"This was such a troubling case and every parent's nightmare," said Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth. "We are grateful for the citizens that reported the intoxicated juvenile to the police which started the search for her and the outstanding police work that allowed us to bring Mr. Brown to justice for his horrific actions."

Prince William County Police had been investigating the report of a missing intoxicated teen on Sept. 1, 2023. A report of an intoxicated minor in the bathroom at the Manassas train station led police to find the teen around 3 p.m. GPS tracking of the teen's cell phone found Brown had the phone.

According to prosecutors, an investigation by Manassas City Police found Brown had sexually assaulted the teen in a parking garage next to the train station. Brown had initially told law enforcement that he found the teen on the fourth floor of the parking garage intoxicated and requesting help.

Upon law enforcement showing video footage, Brown admitted to picking up the teen on Nokesville Road in Prince William County and taking her to the parking garage in Manassas. However, he denied sexually assaulting the teen. Prosecutors say DNA evidence presented in court backed up the teen's sexual assault claim.

A case manager with the Commonwealth's Attorney Victim/Witness Program provided assistance to the victim throughout the prosecution.