Sex Offender Notification - Borrego Springs
October 29, 2026 – San Diego County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Wednesday, October 28, deputies with the San 
Diego County Sheriff's Office along with the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force went door to door in Borrego Springs to inform the community about a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) who will soon be living in their neighborhood.
John Phillips is registered as a “Sexually Violent Predator” (SVP) sex offender with the California Department of Justice and the County of San Diego. This classification is based on felony convictions including convictions of lewd and lascivious acts on a child and sexual battery dating back to 1992 and 2002.
Phillips served several years in state prison for his crimes before his civil commitment to a state mental hospital for sex offenders. In 2026, pursuant to a court order, Phillips will be released into the community under the Conditional Release Program. Phillips has a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender.
Phillips is not wanted by the Sheriff's Office. California Penal Code Section 290, also known as “Megan’s Law,” permits law enforcement agencies to warn the community about sex offenders who frequent the area. The purpose of this notice is to allow members of the public to protect themselves and their children from sex offenders.
This notification is not intended to induce fear; rather it is our belief that an informed community is a safer community. Use of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass the subject or any other person will not be tolerated and may result in prosecution.
THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE AND THE SEXUAL ASSAULT FELONY ENFORCEMENT (SAFE) TASK FORCE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SELECTION OF THIS LOCATION. THE SELECTION PROCESS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITALS AND THE SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT.
(A) The offender's full name John Carey Phillips
(B) Known alias None
(C) Gender Male
(D) Race White
(E) Physical description 6'0", 252 pounds, Bald, Blue Eyes
(F) Photograph Special Bulletin
(G) Date of birth 05-05-1956
(H) Sex Crimes 288(a)PC- Child Molest
(I) Address 1619 Zuni Trail, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
(J) Vehicle None
(K) Type of victim targets Children
(L) Parole / Probation Conditional Release Program
(M) Dates of crimes 1992 and 2002
(N) Date of release On or before 11-04-2026
(O) Enrollment in college None
For more information about the legal designation, treatment and release from confined facilities of sexually violent predators, visit the San Diego County District Attorney's website. You can also visit the Department of State Hospital's website.
To learn more about the SAFE Task Force, click here.
Source & photo: San Diego County Sheriff's Office