A Pittsburgh man charged with repeatedly harassing a local TV news anchor has been taken into custody for allegedly violating conditions of his bond, Allegheny County Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus announced late Friday.
Phillip Franks, 59, was charged March 7 with harassment of a local female television news anchor.
The sheriff’s news release said the harassment dates back to 2020. It did not specify which news station or anchor.
Franks, according to information from the victim, continued his harassment, which led to the current charge, the sheriff’s office reported.
He was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Pittsburgh Municipal Court on the harassment charge April 19.
Allegheny County Judge Edward Borkowski issued a bench warrant for his arrest after Franks failed to appear in city court, which violated the conditions of his bond.
He was apprehended without incident by sheriff deputies Friday night at his Penn Avenue residence, and taken to Allegheny County Jail.
Online court documents show his new preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 14.
