GLENDALE, Ariz. — A top Glendale Police Department executive is involved in an out-of-state criminal investigation and his employment with the city is now over, according to a spokesperson and an internal email sent by Chief Colby Brandt.
The email identifies the police executive as Commander Jay O’Neill.
Jay O'Neill had his first appearance in a Maricopa County courtroom just after 9 p.m. Thursday, and is fighting extradition to North Carolina.
The ABC15 investigators tracked down an indictment out of North Carolina. The name and birth date on that indictment match Jay O'Neill's. The indictment alleges Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, and alleges O'Neill received two digital photographs representing a 15-year-old minor engaging in sexual activity. It accuses him of knowing the character and content of that material.
Glendale Police confirmed Commander Jay O'Neill was no longer employed by the department as of Thursday afternoon.
“Earlier today, the Glendale Police Department was contacted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding an out-of-state criminal investigation involving one of our sworn officers,” according to the chief’s email, which was sent on September 17 to police staff. “As a professional courtesy, DPS provided advance notification and requested our assistance in safely taking the officer into custody.”
Brandt’s email did not detail the type of allegations facing O’Neill.
“I expect additional information will become available in the coming days. In the meantime, I ask that everyone respect Commander O'Neill and his family's privacy during this difficult time,” the email said.
A Glendale police spokesperson confirmed the information in the Chief’s email.
During O'Neill's initial court appearance, a judge gave him the option to waive his right to fight extradition to North Carolina or request and extradition hearing. O'Neill chose the hearing.
"I would like to keep my rights Your Honor and have an extradition hearing," O'Neill said in court.
The judge set a $75,000 cash bond. If released, O'Neill cannot have any contact with the alleged victim or leave Maricopa County.
O'Neill was a longtime member of Glendale Police, and previously served as a department spokesperson.
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When ABC15 tried to reach O'Neill by phone, the woman who answered identified herself as a family member and said they had "no comment."
His extradition hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28.
