Details Emerge on Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Reality Show Collaboration
Recent emails obtained reveal that the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) coordinated with a reality show’s production team, sharing footage and offering access to deputies. This partnership included situations involving use-of-force incidents that raised some red flags internally.
The emails indicate a change in leadership within the homicide and cold case unit just before the alleged abduction of Nancy Guthrie from her Tucson home. Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing shortly after the show’s filming wrapped up.
A June 18, 2025, email from Amanda Riley, a producer for the show, expressed her need for contact details of a sergeant overseeing multiple units. Capt. Robert Kumar responded, outlining how the department had been making significant leadership changes, stating that all teams Riley inquired about had new leaders.
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More than 220 pages of correspondence between PCSD officials and the show’s producers highlight interactions that occurred during the making of a series featuring the sheriff’s department, which became notable after the developments in the Guthrie case. As of the last update, her whereabouts are still unknown.
Among various discussions, incidents involving use of force were brought up, including whether to utilize body cameras when lawmakers were filmed on the show. One incident raised concerns when a deputy only turned on their camera after an altercation had already concluded.
These communications were shared between the department, public relations, and Twenty Twenty Productions, which produced the reality show “Desert Law.” This show focuses on law enforcement activities in the region.
While the crew was riding along with PCSD patrols, producers expressed interest in the body camera footage, asking for a publicist who could provide background footage known as “B-roll.” Kumar even suggested that the producer consider using a new SUV for the visuals.
Additionally, producers wanted information on a past high-profile case, specifically the 1996 murder of Gary Triano, which involved a hitman and had garnered significant public attention over the years.
The murder case saw a woman convicted for her role in arranging the hit, while the bomber is also serving a life sentence. The connection to previous cases, including a tragic birthday surprise gone wrong, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations.
During this period, a captain within the department encouraged deputies to keep communication flowing with producers whenever incidents arose, indicating a proactive approach to film collaborations.
Producer Tom Olney expressed gratitude for the responses they received from law enforcement, labeling the support as exceptional. However, he frequently raised concerns regarding the wait times for obtaining body camera footage, emphasizing the need to expedite requests to meet production schedules.
It’s worth noting that from the emails exchanged, it remains ambiguous if the requests from the show were prioritized over those from the general public, a practice that typically wouldn’t align with standard public records protocols.
The timeframe of these communications took place between July and December 2025, well before Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping incident on February 1, when she vanished from her home.
