An 11-year-old Glendale girl told detectives she woke up to being touched during two separate incidents in June 2025, and now a 34-year-old man is sitting in jail on a six-figure bond.
Police arrested Glendale resident Colby Cassel on Wednesday and booked him on multiple counts of molestation and sexual abuse. He is being held on a $151,000 bond.
According to KTAR, court records show Cassel was booked on two counts of molestation and two counts of sexual abuse after the girl reported that she woke to him touching her during two alleged incidents in June 2025. In a July 2, 2025 interview, the 11-year-old told investigators she awoke while Cassel was “molesting her,” and said her stepsister and brothers were in the room during the encounters, according to the documents reviewed by KTAR.
KTAR reports that Cassel agreed to speak with detectives on the day of his arrest and, according to court records, allegedly admitted to touching the girl during questioning. The probable-cause statement says Cassel “claimed he believed the victim’s 33-year-old mother was in the bed with him,” as reported by KTAR.
What the charges mean
In Arizona, molestation of a child is defined under A.R.S. 13-1410 and classified as a Class 2 felony. When alleged crimes involve victims under 15, they are often prosecuted under the state’s Dangerous Crimes Against Children provisions, which can increase potential sentencing exposure. See the Maricopa County overview and statute commentary from Shouse Law for more detail on penalties and registration requirements.
Next steps in the case
Cassel remains in custody with bond set at $151,000. Prosecutors will decide whether to formally file charges, and a court schedule will follow. As with all defendants, Cassel is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
How to report tips
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Glendale Police Department non-emergency line at (623) 930-3000. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
