The President of the United States has assured Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos that there are extensive federal law enforcement resources available to address the kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie. However, elected Democrats have since removed the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) involvement, undermining its potential contributions.
This assertion adds to a growing list of criticisms, as a recent report notes that the investigation into the mother’s kidnapping is now entering its third week. Savannah Guthrie was taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has reportedly ‘locked down’ the investigation, which has led to increasing tensions between his team and the FBI, according to reports from Friday.
According to the newspaper, Sheriff Nanos has also restricted his most experienced detectives, opting to micromanage the cases from his office rather than leverage their insights and expertise.
It was pointed out that Nanos has decided that only he and two other high-ranking officers can make decisions on cases typically led by seasoned detectives. This is a marked departure from the norm, where senior officials usually focus on administrative aspects while experienced detectives handle investigations.
A law enforcement insider disclosed:
He allows only himself or two chosen staff members to make decisions about the case. Everyone else is directed on what to do without any input. Just three people are making the decisions. That’s quite unusual when there are many people involved, and with the FBI’s participation. The other detectives are working hard, but those three are ultimately deciding based on their limited views.
“They’re keeping everything from the FBI. There’s a total lack of communication,” the source remarked. “Nanos seems more interested in the attention than in letting the FBI properly do their job and focusing on Nancy.”
Another source added, “This isn’t being driven by an actual detective; it’s just command staff, which is pretty rare. Typically, you’d have an experienced detective leading the way and providing updates through the appropriate channels… It feels more like manipulation.”
The two command officers alongside Nanos are Chief Jesús López, who handles daily operations, and Captain Juan Carlos Navarro, responsible for major incident oversight and investigative strategies.
Former Chief Richard Kastiger Jr., who served in the role for 46 years before retiring in 2023, criticized Nanos as a “classic micromanager” and ineffective.
“This case should have been handed over to the FBI two weeks ago, and the Sheriff’s Office should have cooperated with them,” he stated.
On February 4, shortly after the abduction, President Trump expressed his commitment to mobilize all federal resources to assist the Guthrie family.
Trump stated on social media, “I spoke with Savannah and assured her that I am directing all federal law enforcement to fully support local efforts.” He reiterated the dedication of resources to ensure the mother’s safe return.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen at her home on January 31 during dinner with her daughter and son-in-law, and it is believed she was taken around 2 a.m. on February 1.
As the investigation remains ongoing, Sheriff Nanos faces mounting scrutiny, not just from within his department but also from former FBI agents and law enforcement experts frequently featured on news programs.
Nanos has been seen in well-pressed uniforms during interviews with media outlets like Fox News.
Critics like former prosecutor Nancy Grace have spotlighted concerns regarding Nanos, suggesting he is causing confusion and leaking information that could benefit potential kidnappers.
Nanos has faced allegations of denying the FBI access to a state-of-the-art laboratory in Quantico, Virginia, preferring to send DNA samples to a private lab in Florida instead.
Kastiger agreed, saying, “All evidence should have been sent to Quantico from the start. Chris likes to keep a tight inner circle and prefers to control the investigation himself.”
As reported recently, Nanos became sheriff in 2015 amid an FBI investigation into his department’s use of civil asset forfeiture funds.
While Nanos was not indicted, his predecessor faced legal consequences, and Nanos lost the 2016 election. He was later narrowly re-elected in December 2024 after a recount.
Kastiger noted his own disdain for the FBI, claiming that Nanos harbors a grudge over past investigations into his department.
President Trump commented on issues related to the case, particularly about the use of high-tech equipment during the search for Guthrie, expressing concerns over strategy in using a Bluetooth “sniffer” that aimed to locate her pacemaker.
Trump remarked, “I thought it was odd they would mention targeting pacemakers before actually taking action. If that were possible, the kidnapper would simply avoid detection.”
Nanos, for his part, has previously denied claims of withholding evidence from federal partners, suggesting that certain reports are sowing “division” among investigators.
He also noted that FBI agents had cautioned him against letting the media influence the investigation.
Despite Nanos’s assertions, numerous sources indicate he continues to obstruct access to vital evidence.
“At this stage, they’re feeling a bit lost. He’s blocking them, and they don’t even understand why,” the official shared.
The Guthrie family has not provided any comments regarding their satisfaction with how the sheriff’s office is managing the case.
