HAMILTON, Ohio — A man accused of stabbing a Butler County sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to aggravated murder and arson on Wednesday, April 22.
Phillip Lovely, 41, had previously been indicted on multiple charges stemming from a Feb. 5 attack on a deputy and a vehicle fire in Madison Twp. He is scheduled to be sentenced June 3.
The aggravated murder charge carries a minimum of three years in prison, a sentence that can go as high as 16 and a half years, along with a possible fine of up to $20,000. The charge of arson has no minimum term and allows for a maximum of 18 months in prison, with a possible fine of up to $5,000.
According to court records, Deputy Mike Farthing responded around 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 5 to a vehicle fire on Myers Road. Investigators said Lovely had set his own vehicle on fire following a breakup.
While Farthing was assisting with traffic control, Lovely, who lives on the property, stabbed the deputy from behind and told him, “this is your unlucky day,” according to the sheriff’s office.
The knife pierced Farthing’s ballistic vest, and the two struggled before Farthing subdued Lovely. Radio traffic captured Farthing reporting that he had been stabbed and had the suspect at gunpoint.
Farthing was taken to Atrium Medical Center in Middletown, where he was treated and released the next day.
The state agreed to dismiss the remaining counts against Lovely, including two counts of felonious assault and inducing panic, according to court documents. Lovely will be required to register as a violent offender and an arson offender.
