Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is under fire after a local resident alerted officials about an incident at a nearby airport. Reports indicate a TSA agent stopped him at a security checkpoint because he had an undeclared firearm in his carry-on luggage.
This situation adds to the mounting pressure on Nanos, who has faced an independent investigation into claims of bullying and misuse of his office for political purposes during a close race against former PCSD Lt. Heather Lappin in 2024. The investigation concluded that there is a “preponderance of the evidence” supporting these claims.
During a public meeting on November 12, 2024, Corey Stevens, a Tucson resident and president of the American Conservative Union, voiced her frustration to the County Board of Supervisors. She pointed out that Nanos was not facing penalties similar to what any average citizen would experience in a similar situation.
“If a civilian had encountered something like that at the airport, the impact would have been much greater,” Stevens shared during a phone call with Fox News Digital.
The sheriff’s office has not yet commented on the incident, which hasn’t led to any charges. Stevens mentioned she felt compelled to bring this up during public comment due to its alarming nature, especially since it had garnered little media attention.
In the backdrop of Nanos’ troubled tenure, the investigation into the disappearance of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, is ongoing. Critics have seized on issues including lawsuits against Nanos by other sheriffs and allegations that he lied under oath about prior disciplinary actions.
“We the people want answers,” Stevens asserted, emphasizing community safety is at stake.
On November 6, 2024, an incident report revealed that a TSA X-ray technician had discovered the weapon in the sheriff’s bag. Notably, Stevens raised concerns about how, as a law enforcement officer, Nanos should adhere to TSA rules about declaring weapons.
Airport police found five bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber. After missing his flight, Nanos reportedly placed the firearm in his vehicle and left the airport.
James Gagliano, a former FBI agent, expressed surprise over the situation, noting that Nanos could have declared his status as a law enforcement officer to follow legal protocols for transporting weapons.
The incident escalated as it was discovered by police that there was a conflict of interest with the first officer responding. Nanos directed officers to a zippered pocket where the gun was located. They noted that the firearm was not concealed in any elaborate way.
The officer read Nanos his Miranda rights and informed federal authorities. Ultimately, the sheriff was allowed to withdraw from the concourse to secure the firearm in his vehicle and was rebooked for a later flight.
This incident compounds a series of allegations against Nanos that have recently surfaced while the search for Nancy Guthrie appears stagnant. An independent review related to Lappin’s allegations of retaliation found no evidence of bullying, but it did suggest Nanos might have misused his authority for political gain.
Furthermore, Nanos is accused of breaching department decorum by allegedly releasing confidential information about Lappin during the campaign, although the investigation concluded he isn’t bound by regular departmental policies due to his elected status.
Following the investigation, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office stated that Nanos is aware of the findings, which do raise concerns even though they do not support bullying claims. The county board recently forwarded its findings to the state attorney general, investigating Nanos’ actions during the campaign, while Lappin has faced suspension due to what officials cited as unsubstantiated claims.
There’s also a First Amendment lawsuit against Nanos from another sheriff, alleging retaliation linked to supporting Lappin.
The Pima County Board voted to have an outside attorney prepare questions for Nanos and plans to summon him for answers regarding his conduct and history.
Stevens, who unsuccessfully campaigned for a Republican seat in the 2024 election, called for Nanos to resign over claims he lied under oath related to another lawmaker’s lawsuit and his history with the department.
Meanwhile, the search for Guthrie continues to be unresolved, with her family urging anyone with information to reach out to the FBI. Over $1.2 million in rewards are being offered for information leading to an arrest or her recovery.
Two months have elapsed since Guthrie was reportedly taken from her Tucson home, and the investigation is at a standstill, with a masked figure seen on video around the time of her disappearance. A DNA sample from the scene, containing unknown male genetic material, is also pending analysis.
