SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio attorney, Martin Phipps, has recently been arrested following serious allegations made by a 16-year-old girl living in his household. The police report, released on Monday, reveals that the teen accused Phipps of threatening her, leading to fears for her safety.
Phipps, who is 57 years old, was taken into custody on Sunday night and faces a charge of making a terroristic threat against a family or household member. He has since been released on bond.
The investigation began on August 21 after officers received a call from the girl. She informed them that while living with Phipps, he made threats that caused her to feel unsafe.
Court records indicate that Phipps is scheduled for an arraignment on October 6 in County Court 13. This incident is not the first legal trouble he has faced; in 2021, he was arrested for allegedly harassing a woman to the extent that she fled to Mexico out of fear. However, that case does not appear in current county records, suggesting it may have been expunged.
In response to the recent allegations, Phipps issued a statement claiming that the accusations stem from a custody dispute with his ex-wife, Jessica Joiner. He stated, “First of all, this complaint did not come from my daughter… I love my children, have never laid a finger on them, and would never harm them in any way.”
Phipps went on to express regret over losing his temper while disciplining his daughter, emphasizing his concern for her safety and well-being. He further characterized the situation as one where his relationship with his daughter is being exploited for leverage in a custody battle.
He concluded his statement by asserting that he has been wrongly accused in the past and expressed confidence in the legal system to resolve the matter fairly.
