With a name like Jake Spade, you knew it was too good to be true. Too much out of the cheap and tawdry dime-store paperback mysteries to it.
Apparently, Jake Spade was all that more before he moved to San Miguel.
He is actually Glenn D. Bales, an Arizona fugitive wanted for child sexual exploitation of a minor, a felony in Maricopa County to where he was extradited and arraigned this month. The state asked for $75,000 bail.
He asked for a lower bond, as a single parent of a non-minor son and as a doctoral student in town. The judge, though concerned about images of infants found on his phone, imposed a $20,000 bond, electronic monitoring, and curfew.
He was also on probation in another county and was ordered to check in with his supervisor there within 72 hours of his release
Bales briefly made the TV show “America’s Most Wanted” as a fugitive of interest in 2022. It cited 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor for which Bales was arrested in December 2018. Bales was reported to have an adult son living with him at the time. (The AMW link above contains a solid timeline of events in the comment section.)
Here is a link to his original arraignment. Bales simply stopped showing up for court appearances, despite a $20,000 bail, and in October 2021, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
In San Miguel, Bales became Spade and hung out a shingle as Spade Neuropsychology at Prolongation Cinco de Mayo #6. He describes himself as a “clinical neuropsychologist with a particular interest in memory and cognitive processing disorders.” Among his specializations, he claimed, “evaluations as well as cognitive aptitude testing for students in grades 1-12.” He added a focus on educational planning for “intellectually gifted” students.
Bales added the term Doctor to his name, aka Jacob Spade PsyD. In 2023 he added an associate to the firm, a licensed psychologist and Universidad de Leon graduate, listed as a “neuro-rehab specialist.”
Bales, as Spade, pursued clients in couples therapy and the LGBTQ+ community, as well. While, Mackay’s educational and professional experiences are detailed, there is no academic vitae on “Spade.”
As Spade, Bales lived in the Los Sendaros area with a local young man who has expressed shock and said he had no idea of Bales’ double-life until the police showed up at their door. He was planning to file a missing persons report on his spouse when the police told him what had happened. They met during Covid lockdown.
“I’m scared. I’m paralyzed by all this,” he replied to a mutual friend.
The housemate said Bales’ business partner knew nothing of his past. They will be contacting all of “Spade’s” clients and wherever possible delivering their personal files to them. A letter was sent to all the parents of Spade’s clients.
Any past clients who experienced contact with Spade/Bales are urged to seek counseling from an appropriate and licensed person. One local psychologist who works with youths, Laura Cerroblanco has offered to meet with parents and children who were former clients of Spade/Bales.
Musings, Magic, San Miguel and More 
Wow! He is not the first fugitive to be extradited from SMA over the years
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I’ve been a client of his for the past year and to think of the things I told him now knowing this information makes me truly sick to my stomach… I confided in him with traumas as a kid involving people like him. It’s chilling to realize you sought safety in someone who turned out to be the threat. Reflecting back on the things we talked about makes me question his intents all along and that makes me terribly uneasy. I feel used, disgusted, and violated and I hope he carries that.
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Thank you for sharing your experience. I am so sorry this happened.
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Good evening I appreciate youre response… I’ve thought about it and although I’m very upset I don’t want those hateful words I used
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I don’t know which words are yours or what you wish done. Please contact me at robertj.hawkins2012@gmail.com
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I want to point out that Dylan Mackay is a really good guy and like has been terribly hurt by this as well.
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Dear Community,
We understand that recent events involving the extradition of Glenn Bales alias Jacob Spade have raised concerns and sparked discussion. We want to assure you that his partner Gustavo Acosta and his work colleague Dylan Baruch Mackay Cosio had no involvement with this nor had any knowledge of his criminal activity in the US.
We ask that you please respect the privacy of those directly affected by this situation. We deeply regret any harm that this is causing.
Let’s focus on supporting one another during this time and fostering a respectful environment. His patients have relayed to me that they did benefit from his therapies. He was competent but obviously under false pretenses. This is a very unfortunate situation. We are all picking the pieces to move forward.
His clients are being contacted individually and in a timely manner will receive their files and any further information to help their care.
Thank you for your understanding. We are all still processing this.
His colleague Dylan is licensed in Mexico.
He has been in direct contact with the local authorities and has cooperated in every aspect of this awful occurrence.
Arabella
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Before chosing a therapist, a person should ascertain their “”therapist’s” credentials are inclusive of relevant education, hours of clinical supervisión prior to licensing, an internship, and if any issues exist with their state licensing boards.
Anyone can lable themselves as a professional therapist even if they have no licensing organization that dictates a code of ethics, standards of practice, or scope of practice.
A professional psychologist must pass educational requirements including an approved thesis, complete supervisión requirements, sit for a written board certification, and be accepted by the individual board of each state in which he or she practices. The article states that the criminal was ” working on his doctorate” which would indicate that he was a student, and not a licensed psychologist in Arizona.
As a licensed Clinical Nurse Specialist in psychiatry, I was required to complete a BSN and Masters in psychiatric nursing. I also completed 2000 hours of supervision by a licensed psychiatrist prior to sitting for the specialty boards. I then had to pay for 3 different licenses before I could practice. I am very frustrated by those who circumvent education, supervisión and licensing yet claim to be knowledgeable of the therapeutic process and play with people’s lives.
All individual, state licensing information (for each specialty) is available online. You may also procure information about any sanctions against a license, and the current status online.
Please do your research prior to selecting a professional therapist. Some self-proclaimed ” therapists ” in Mexico will be happy to take your money at a very vulnerable time in your life.
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I deeply appreciate this perspective and completely resonate with the importance of withholding judgment until all the facts are known. As someone who has also experienced the pain and damage of false accusations, I know firsthand how devastating and isolating such situations can be. It’s a reminder of how critical it is to let due process unfold without rushing to conclusions.This news is shocking and heartbreaking, and while the allegations are deeply troubling, we owe it to everyone involved—including Jake and those making the accusations—to approach this with care, fairness, and an open mind. False accusations can destroy lives, just as much as real offenses can, and it is crucial to ensure that the truth, whatever it may be, is uncovered without bias or assumption.At the same time, my heart aches for any potential victims, for their courage in coming forward, and for the pain they must be experiencing. We should be holding space for their voices to be heard while remaining committed to justice and truth.For now, I think the most compassionate path is to refrain from speculation, support the processes that seek to uncover the truth, and focus on healing for everyone touched by this—whether that healing is for those harmed, those falsely accused, or those left grappling with the emotional weight of this news. It’s a painful situation, and all we can do is move forward with as much fairness, compassion, and care as possible.
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