Ex-Glendale PD Commander Held After NC Child Exploitation Indictment

Former Glendale Police Commander Held in Arizona After North Carolina Child Exploitation IndictmentGLENDALE, Ariz. — A high-ranking Glendale Police Department commander is in custody and no longer employed by the city after an out-of-state investigation into alleged child sex crimes, officials confirmed Thursday. Jay O’Neill, 55, of Goodyear, faces extradition to North Carolina, where he has been indicted on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor.

The Glendale Police Department announced Sept. 17 that O’Neill’s employment with the city had ended and that he was the subject of an active criminal investigation by another law enforcement agency. The department declined further comment, citing the ongoing probe. Arizona Department of Public Safety confirmed O’Neill was taken into custody that day, with Glendale officers assisting in the arrest.

O’Neill appeared in a Maricopa County courtroom Thursday evening shortly after 9 p.m. He requested an extradition hearing, telling the judge he wanted to “keep my rights.” A judge set a $75,000 cash bond and ordered that, if released, O’Neill have no contact with the alleged victim and remain in Maricopa County. He is awaiting extradition to North Carolina.

Court documents obtained by Arizona’s Family show O’Neill was indicted in Jackson County, North Carolina, on five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The documents allege he received several nude photographs from a 15-year-old girl. ABC15 reported the indictment includes a charge of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor involving digital photographs depicting a 15-year-old engaged in sexual activity; prosecutors allege he knew the nature of the material.

Glendale Police Chief Colby Brandt informed department staff in an internal email that O’Neill had been relieved of his command after the department was contacted by DPS about the out-of-state investigation. O’Neill joined the Glendale Police Department as an officer in 2005 and rose through the ranks to commander in February 2020. He previously served as a police officer in Oceanside, California, and as a dispatcher. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1991 to 1995. He had previously worked as a department spokesperson. 17GEN4.com

As of Friday, Sept. 18, no additional public details have been released by Glendale police or North Carolina authorities. The case remains under investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Sources:  

• FOX 10 Phoenix: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/former-glendale-police-commander-custody-amid-out-of-state-criminal-probe  

• Arizona’s Family (3TV/CBS 5): https://www.azfamily.com/2026/09/18/glendale-police-confirm-commanders-exit-amid-criminal-investigation/  

• ABC15: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/glendale-pd-commander-facing-out-of-state-criminal-investigation  

• The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com: https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/crime-public-safety/metro-phoenix/2026/09/17/jay-oneill-glendale-police-official-arrested-in-out-of-state-case/91818352007/  

• KTAR.com: https://ktar.com/arizona-news/glendale-police-commander-jay-oneill-under-criminal-investigation-no-longer-with-city

Ex-Glendale PD Commander Held After NC Child Exploitation Indictment

Former Glendale Police Commander Jay O’Neill, 55, is in Arizona custody facing extradition to North Carolina on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. He appeared in court Thursday; $75,000 bond set.