Shreveport man pleads guilty to damaging air force property with vehicle, drunk driving

SHREVEPORT, La. – United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced that a Shreveport man pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while intoxicated onto Barksdale Air Force Base, damaging property and fleeing authorities.

Michael Taylor Phillips, 26, of Shreveport, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge S. Maurice Hicks Jr. to one count of damage to property of the United States; one count of driving while intoxicated, second offense; and one count of resisting arrest. According to the guilty plea, Phillips drove his vehicle into the North Gate of Barksdale Air Force Base and struck a steel bollard in the gate’s secured area. The impact damaged the bollard, and Phillips’ vehicle continued onto the airbase before it came to a stop at the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command Headquarters building. Phillips exited the vehicle and ran into a base residential area. He was later apprehended and detained.

Phillips faces up to 10 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release, restitution and a $250,000 fine. The court set a November 29, 2018 sentencing date.

The FBI and U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary J. Mudrick and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney John Odom are prosecuting the case.