A shadow of controversy hangs over Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, beginning with a startling incident at the local airport. Reports surfaced alleging that the Sheriff attempted to travel with a loaded firearm in his carry-on luggage, a mistake that bypassed standard security protocols.
The incident, initially met with little public attention, quickly escalated when a concerned citizen, Cory Stephens, brought it to light during a county board meeting. Stephens, president of the Conservative Coalition of America, questioned why the Sheriff wouldn’t face the same consequences as any other traveler in a similar situation.
Details from an incident report reveal a TSA technician spotted the weapon during an X-ray scan. Five rounds were chambered and loaded, prompting airport police intervention. While Nanos ultimately missed his flight, he secured the firearm and rebooked for a later departure – without facing immediate charges.
This incident unfolded against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny for Sheriff Nanos. An independent investigation, stemming from allegations of political retaliation during his 2024 re-election campaign against Heather Lappin, revealed troubling findings. The investigation concluded that a preponderance of evidence suggests Nanos misused his office and departmental resources for political advantage.
The report specifically cited a press release containing confidential information about Lappin, a move deemed inconsistent with department policies on courtesy and civility. Despite this, the review acknowledged Nanos, as an elected official, wasn’t directly subject to those internal rules.
Adding to the pressure, Nanos faces a First Amendment lawsuit from a deputy claiming retaliation for supporting Lappin. The Pima County Board of Supervisors previously referred Nanos to the state attorney general for investigation into potential campaign misconduct, including allegations of unsubstantiated claims made against Lappin.
These allegations have intensified amidst the ongoing, and increasingly desperate, search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie. Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home over two months ago, and the case remains unsolved.
A chilling doorbell camera video shows a masked intruder, clad in long sleeves and rubber gloves, approaching Guthrie’s home around the time of her suspected abduction. Despite widespread circulation, the intruder’s identity remains a mystery. A DNA sample recovered from the scene has yet to yield a match.
The family continues to plead for information, with a combined reward exceeding $1.2 million for any leads that could lead to an arrest or Guthrie’s safe return. The FBI urges anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
Stephens believes the public deserves full transparency regarding Nanos’s conduct. She has publicly called for his resignation, citing concerns about his vetting process and allegations of dishonesty under oath. The questions surrounding Sheriff Nanos are mounting, leaving the community demanding answers and seeking reassurance about the safety and integrity of their county.
