Notice of Claim Filed Against Pima County Sheriff Over Wrongful Detentions

Lawyers representing two Arizona men involved in the search for Nancy Guthrie, along with the mother of one detainee, have filed a notice of claim against the Pima County sheriff and a detective. This notice serves as a prerequisite to a potential lawsuit and targets Sheriff Chris Nanos alongside a detective. The claim accuses authorities of wrongful arrest and property damage.

Carlos Palazuelos, one of the men mentioned in the claim, was detained on February 10 for questioning and later released without charges. This event occurred amid the search for the kidnapped Nancy Guthrie, mother of ‘TODAY’ co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. On the same day, Daniel Maddox was handcuffed and held for hours during a home search. The claim also includes Maddox’s mother, whose property’s damage is alleged in the notice.

The notice, obtained by NBC affiliate KVOA of Tucson, indicates deputies arrested Palazuelos at gunpoint without probable cause for approximately seven to eight hours. The arrest took place publicly. The document also asserts that Palazuelos’s home was “ransacked” and alleges physical, emotional, and reputational harm. Furthermore, it states that Sheriff Nanos posted misleading information on social media, making Palazuelos appear guilty.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks to the media in Tucson on Feb. 3. Jan Sonnenmair / Getty Images file

Despite requests from Palazuelos’s counsel, neither Nanos nor the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have retracted or clarified their statements regarding Palazuelos’s innocence. Palazuelos, a delivery driver, publicly declared his non-involvement in the case while speaking to Telemundo outside his Rio Rico home.

The claim states that Daniel Maddox faced wrongful detention, resulting in significant physical, mental, and emotional distress. Armed men in military gear reportedly confronted him at gunpoint, ordering him to lie in his hallway after he had emerged to investigate a loud noise. Maddox was then held “under guard” for several hours, according to the notice. Additionally, Josefina Maddox, Daniel’s mother and the homeowner, is named in the claim.

The sheriff’s department has not commented on the notice of claim, nor has the county government responded to requests for comments. The legal representatives propose settling claims involving Palazuelos for $2.5 million, Daniel Maddox for $500,000, and Josefina Maddox for $250,000. Besides Nanos and the detective, the county and the sheriff’s department are also mentioned as potential subjects of future claims.

Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson-area home on February 1, and the FBI has categorized the case as a kidnapping for ransom. Sheriff Nanos confirmed that the investigation remains active, emphasizing intensive efforts. As of last Thursday, the sheriff’s office communicated that DNA and digital evidence analysis is ongoing, indicating the complex and time-consuming nature of the process. Investigators continue to chase all credible leads.

On Monday, Savannah Guthrie released a video plea directed at whoever might be responsible for her mother’s disappearance. She expressed the family’s suffering and implored those involved to provide information leading to her mother’s recovery. “The world can be a cruel and unforgiving place,” Savannah Guthrie stated, urging the responsible parties to make the right decision and assist in locating her mother.