At a news conference today (Friday, July 31) Mayor John Whitmire joined Chief J. Noe Diaz as well as FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson to announce the arrest and charges of a male linked to multiple sexual assault cases spanning from 1997 to 2016.
“This arrest is a perfect example of effective collaboration by multiple law enforcement agencies, including HPD, the Texas Rangers, and the FBI. Thanks to their work, the suspect will be made accountable if he is found guilty” stated Mayor John Whitmire. “Public safety remains my top priority and I will work with anyone that will fight crime.”
Phillip Cerf, 62, is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault in the 496th Criminal District Court. Cerf’s previous arrest booking photos for unrelated charges are attached to this news release and include photos from 2005 and 1999. These photos represent Cerf’s appearance in 1999 and 2005, during the time which he may have committed additional crimes in Houston.
Cerf, who was identified through case-to-case DNA matches was arrested on July 21 and booked into the Harris County Jail. His DNA profile matched four HPD sexual assault cases from June 29, 1997, April 9, 2009, June 22, 2013, and July 3, 2016. In all four cases Cerf offered the victims a ride and then drove them to another location where he sexually and physically assaulted the victims. In each case the survivors underwent forensic sexual assault examinations.
The Texas Department of Public Safety Texas Rangers conducted a Sexual Assault Kit Initiative which led to the multiple CODIS hits. This led to identifying all case-to-case DNA matches and all four cases were linked.
By comparing reports, forensic evidence and investigative finding across multiple cases, Cerf was ultimately identified as the suspect in these cases. FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge Jason Hudson shared “FBI Houston’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) team used publicly accessible genealogy services to identify potential family members of the unknown suspect profile. Investigators then built family trees of persons identified as potential relatives of the perpetrator. We hope his identification is a positive step in closure and healing for the victims after all these years.”
HPD Chief Diaz stated ‘these investigations remained active because the victims had the courage to report these crimes and participate in the investigative process. We believe there are potentially other victims who were assaulted by Cerf. I want to encourage anyone who has information to contact the Houston Police Department.”
Cerf remains in custody at the Harris County Jail and the investigations remain ongoing.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work done by the FBI, Texas Rangers, and HPD investigators who came together, worked tirelessly, shared their resources, and collaborated to solve these cold cases,” said Angela Weltin, Chief of the Special Victims Bureau at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. “We want sexual assault survivors to know that our commitment to seeking justice does not fade with time—we follow evidence wherever it leads. To the victims and families still waiting for answers, please know that you deserve justice and clarity, no matter how many years have passed.”
Anyone who has information about this case or believes they may have been a victim of Cert is urged to contact the HPD Special Victims Division at 713-308-1180.
Phillip Cerf (2026)
Phillip Cerf (2005)
Philip Cerf (1999)
JKS/ECR 7-31-26