Man Charged With Sexual Assault, Kidnapping After Alleged Phoenix Canal Attack

What prosecutors say happened

Prosecutors say a 48-year-old man sexually assaulted and strangled a woman with a dog leash before throwing her into a Phoenix canal. The alleged attack also included claims that the suspect threw rocks at the victim during the incident.

State authorities identified the defendant as Jimmy Cluff. Officials also allege Cluff abused a dog at some point in connection with the case, though details about when that occurred remain unclear.

Charges filed and arrest details

Cluff appeared before a judge early Saturday morning on a slate of charges: five counts of aggravated assault, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of sexual assault. The charges were announced by state prosecutors handling the case.

He was assigned a public defender, and prosecutors described the allegations as serious and potentially dangerous to the victim.

"These are extremely serious allegations and suggest a clear danger to the victim," said state prosecutor Ashley Stetson.

Bond and next court date

Bond was set at $300,000 cash. With a public defender representing him, Cluff is scheduled to return to court for a status conference on Sept. 4.

The arraignment and bond order followed the initial appearance that placed the full list of charges on the record. Prosecutors argued for the high bond based on the nature of the allegations.

Ongoing investigation and public note

The case is still developing and officials have not released a full timeline for when each alleged act occurred. Prosecutors continue to review the facts as investigators compile more information.

AZFamily asked readers to check back for updates as new details become available. This report is based on the information released by state prosecutors and local authorities.