Pima County Sheriff Responds to Recall Effort Amid Kidnapping Case
The sheriff overseeing the search for Nancy Guthrie has addressed a recall initiative against him, which critics are labeling “disgraceful” in relation to his management of the high-profile kidnapping case.
Chris Nanos, the Sheriff of Pima County, spoke about the recall shortly after it was reported by the Post. He acknowledged the movement, stating, “We are aware of the recall and it is a right of the people,” as he told a local news outlet.
Nanos expressed that he respects the public’s right to decide, adding that “that is democracy,” and he would honor the outcome.
Republican Congressional candidate Daniel Buttiles announced that he has initiated this recall campaign due to concerns over how Nanos has handled the Guthrie incident, alongside accusations of misrepresentation regarding the sheriff’s employment history.
Buttiles, who is preparing for a Congressional run in Arizona’s 7th District this November, mentioned that both law enforcement personnel and local Democrats are increasingly frustrated with Nanos’ performance.
“Nanos has embarrassed Tucson and Pima County with this Nancy Guthrie case,” Buttiles remarked, emphasizing that the discontent spans both political affiliations.
Having started the formal recall process last Thursday, Buttiles now has 120 days to gather the requisite signatures to potentially remove Sheriff Nanos.
The state’s Board of Supervisors plans to convene on March 24 to deliberate on Sheriff Nanos’ career.
In a December affidavit, Nanos was asked about any suspensions during his law enforcement career, to which he replied “no,” despite records from his earlier tenure in El Paso showing eight suspensions.
Pima County Supervisor Matt Heintz, a fellow Democrat, stressed the importance of thoroughly investigating incidents involving county employees, finding the situation quite troubling. “It’s crucial to gather as much information as possible,” he stated.
“This man has been committing fraud in Pima County for the past 43 years, and I want him removed,” Heintz added, further escalating tensions surrounding the case.
This situation compounds existing difficulties for the deputy working on Nancy Guthrie’s case, who is facing an unrelated $1.35 million lawsuit brought by an inmate at Pima County Jail.
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
The search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, now stretches into its 50th day, with no suspects or persons of interest identified.
She was last seen on January 31, following a drop-off by relatives at her home in the Catalina Foothills area, just north of Tucson, Arizona. Data from her pacemaker suggests she may have been abducted in the early hours of February 1st.
