Men file claim against Pima County sheriff in Guthrie case
Two Arizona men detained in the Nancy Guthrie investigation, plus one man's mother, have filed a notice of claim against the Pima County Sheriff's Department and Sheriff Chris Nanos. The claim alleges wrongful arrest and property damage and seeks millions as a precursor to a possible lawsuit. The notice, dated Monday and reported by NBC News, also names a detective, the county, and the department as possible future defendants.
Key Takeaways
- Carlos Palazuelos, Daniel Maddox, and Josefina Maddox filed a notice of claim alleging wrongful arrest and property damage.
- Palazuelos was detained Feb. 10 for about seven to eight hours and released without charges.
- Lawyers offered to settle for $2.5 million for Palazuelos, $500,000 for Daniel Maddox, and $250,000 for Josefina Maddox.
- Nancy Guthrie, 84, went missing near Tucson on Feb. 1; the FBI is treating the case as a kidnapping for ransom.
- The Pima County Sheriff's Department has 60 days to respond to the notice.
Who filed the notice of claim against the sheriff?
According to NBC News, lawyers for Carlos Palazuelos and Daniel Maddox, as well as Maddox's mother, Josefina Maddox, issued the notice against Sheriff Chris Nanos and a detective. It is a precursor to a possible lawsuit.
Palazuelos was detained Feb. 10 for questioning as authorities searched for who kidnapped Guthrie, the mother of TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. He was released later without charges. The same day, the notice says, Maddox was placed in handcuffs at a home that was searched and held for several hours.
The notice says deputies "arrested Carlos at gunpoint and held him without probable cause for approximately seven to eight hours" in a public fashion. It alleges his home was "ransacked" and that he suffered physical, emotional, and reputational harm.
Regarding Maddox, the notice says men in military gear pointed guns at him and told him to lie on the ground when he left his room. He was held "under guard" at a van for several hours. Josefina Maddox owns the home and alleges property damage, including a broken front door and frame, AZ Family reported.
What settlement amounts are they seeking?
Lawyers offered to settle claims relating to Palazuelos for $2.5 million, Daniel Maddox for $500,000, and Josefina Maddox for $250,000—about $3.25 million total. Attorney Jesse Showalter said the search and arrest were based on "false and baseless evidence" and called on Nanos to clear Palazuelos's name.
The notice says Nanos posted on social media that a person had been arrested and was being questioned in connection with the Guthrie investigation. Counsel alleges the sheriff and the Pima County Sheriff's Department have refused to retract statements or make clear that Palazuelos is innocent. The department has 60 days to respond. NBC News said the sheriff's department did not immediately comment on the notice.
Where does the Nancy Guthrie investigation stand now?
Nancy Guthrie, 84, went missing from her home near Tucson early Feb. 1. The FBI has said her disappearance is being investigated as a kidnapping for ransom. AZ Family reported Thursday that hair testing from her Catalina Foothills home did not point to a suspect—another dead end as the claim news broke.
Nanos said this week the case is still active. The sheriff's office said DNA and digital evidence analysis has been underway for six months and investigators "continue to pursue every credible lead." For more coverage of unfolding cases, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries hub.
Savannah Guthrie released a video pleading for answers, saying her family is "in agony" and asking whoever is responsible to "help us find her."