U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis | U.S. Department of Justice
An indictment was unsealed in the Middle District of Tennessee, charging Philip Taylor Sobash, a 34-year-old from Austin, Texas, with child sexual exploitation offenses. The charges relate to activities between October 2018 and May 2019 when Sobash, then a practicing physician, allegedly engaged in an online sexually explicit relationship with a minor residing in Tennessee.
Court documents reveal that Sobash met Minor Victim 1 on a dating website for "sugar daddy" relationships. Although the victim claimed to be 18 upon registration, the site did not verify ages. It is alleged that after their communication shifted to text messages, the victim disclosed her true age to Sobash by sending him her driver's license photo.
Sobash allegedly requested and received sexually explicit images from Minor Victim 1 in exchange for cash and gifts over seven months. Despite assurances of privacy, he reportedly distributed these images online, leading to blackmail attempts against the victim. In 2024, the FBI discovered that CSAM featuring Minor Victim 1 was available for sale online under her name as part of a collection known as "DiscreetGent."
Evidence suggests that Sobash is linked to this collection and responsible for its content. Court filings indicate that at least four other minors were involved in creating CSAM for Sobash. His Apple iCloud account reportedly contained copies of these materials.
Sobash was arrested in Texas and faces multiple charges: one count of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of coercing a minor into prostitution or unlawful sexual activity, and one count of receipt of child pornography. If convicted, he could face significant prison time.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica R. Morrison and Trial Attorney Adam Braskich are prosecuting the case under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation.
Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski; Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri; and FBI Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough announced the indictment.
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Sobash is encouraged to contact the FBI through their website.
The indictment serves as an allegation only; Sobash is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
