Godfrey Man Charged With Armed Assault, Violating Protective Order In Alton

ALTON – A Godfrey man with multiple open cases remains in custody after an alleged assault of an Alton resident with an illegally possessed firearm.

Nathaniel W. Phipps, 21, of Godfrey, was charged on March 4, 2026 with one count each of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony), violation of an Order of Protection, and aggravated assault (both Class A misdemeanors).

Phipps allegedly carried a Taurus GX4 XL 9mm handgun on his person and in his vehicle on Dec. 22, 2025, when the firearm was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible. At the time of the offense, Phipps had reportedly not been issued a valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card or Concealed Carry License.

Phipps is additionally accused of brandishing the firearm in a threatening manner towards another individual on the same date, when he also reportedly traveled to an Alton address protected under an Order of Protection and made threatening contact with the protected party in violation of court orders.

A petition to keep Phipps detained pending trial was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to the petition, after Phipps arrived at the protected address, he “retrieved a loaded 9mm handgun from a vehicle, cocked the firearm, and advanced toward [the victim] and her boyfriend in a threatening manner.”

After being read his Miranda rights, the petition states Phipps admitted to the threatening conduct and to having knowledge of the active Order of Protection against him.

The petition notes that Phipps has several open cases for prior offenses, including two cases of violating of an Order of Protection involving the same victim from this case. In one of these prior cases, the petition states he “repeatedly contacted her and threatened to shoot and kill her and her family.”

At the time of this latest offense, Phipps was reportedly on pretrial release from custody pending a prior felony case of aggravated assault of a peace officer. Among his other open cases listed in the petition are two open domestic battery cases, an open violation of pretrial release case involving a family member, and multiple pending criminal trespass and criminal damage charges.

The state’s petition to deny pretrial release for Phipps was granted, and he currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.

All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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