The sheriff at the center of the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping has come under scrutiny for a past incident involving an attempt to carry a loaded firearm through airport security. Reports claim he received preferential treatment when caught.
In November 2024, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos allegedly had a run-in with TSA officials at Tucson Airport. The incident was reportedly witnessed by Cory Stephens, a prominent Arizona conservative.
Stephens, who leads the Conservative Coalition of America, asserts that Nanos, a Democrat, managed to sidestep the typical penalties for bringing an undeclared firearm to an airport checkpoint, which can include fines up to $17,000 or arrest.
“A private citizen would have faced harsher repercussions in that situation,” Stephens remarked in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“As a law enforcement officer, he should be well-versed in TSA regulations, including how to declare and secure a weapon, and should adhere to the same standards as everyone else,” she added.
Typically, TSA procedures require them to coordinate with the individual’s agency, and active-duty law enforcement personnel are generally permitted to travel with their firearms.
‘We as citizens want answers,’ Stephens said. ‘The safety of our community is at stake.’
Nanos has been accused of botching the hunt for 84-year-old Nancy, the mother of NBC Today star Savannah, who was taken from her home in Tucson on February 1.
Cory Stephens, president of the Conservative Coalition of America, accused Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos of receiving special treatment after he brought a loaded gun through TSA
Nanos is facing criticism over claims he mishandled the search into Savannah Guthrie’s missing 84-year-old mother, Nancy
On November 6, 2024, TSA discovered that Nanos’ carry-on bag held a gun with five live rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber
Stephens’ claims appeared to be backed by an incident report obtained by Fox News, which showed a TSA X-ray detected the weapon in the sheriff’s bag.
On November 6, 2024, while clearing security in Lane 1 at Tucson International Airport’s B concourse before a flight, TSA technician Ricardo Chavarria spotted a firearm in Nanos’ carry-on and called over an officer, according to the report.
The responding officer, Derek Tyra, stepped aside because of a ‘conflict of interest’ and handed the case off to another officer.
Nanos was moved to a private screening room and asked to reveal the location of his gun, which he said was stashed in a large zippered pocket.
The officer, identified in the report as Sgt. Smith, discovered five live rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber before rendering the firearm safe.
‘The firearm was in a hard plastic holster,’ Smith wrote. ‘The firearm was not artfully or purposely concealed.’
Nanos, a man with no active warrants, was read his Miranda rights prior to the officer notifying his superiors, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI about the ‘Glock.’
The sheriff was then escorted off the concourse, placed the gun back in his car and was rebooked on a later flight after missing his original departure, according to the document.
Stephens claimed that Nanos avoided penalties faced by ordinary citizens and reported the incident days later
The incident unfolded while Nanos went through security in Lane 1 at Tucson International Airport’s B concourse
According to an incident report obtained by Fox News, Nanos was escorted off the concourse to store the gun in his car before being rebooked on a later flight
Though the situation appeared resolved, retired FBI agent James Gagliano told Fox News that he found the incident surprising, as standard procedure exists for law enforcement personnel to fly with a weapon legally.
‘You declare yourself as a law enforcement officer ahead of time,’ he told the outlet.
This latest revelation is the newest allegation to surface against Nanos amid the stalled, high-profile search for the NBC Today show host’s mother.
Two months on from the abduction at Nancy’s $1m Catalina Hills home, no-one has been arrested or named as a suspect.
‘We have information that we need as an electorate to know who we’re voting into office,’ Stephens told Fox. ‘We need all the information that we could possibly have to put the right people into office.’
Just last month, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to require the sheriff to submit a sworn statement in response to new concerns about his past, according to public records.
The move is part of an effort that could result in Nanos being removed from office, the Arizona Daily Star reported.
Citing a report by The Arizona Republic that found Nanos misrepresented his previous work experience, Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz requested a discussion of his history at the meeting.
The airport officer notified Nanos’ superiors, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI about the discovery
Authorities have yet to name any suspects or make an arrest two months after Nancy was abducted from her $1 million Tucson home
The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to require Nanos to submit a sworn statement in response to concerns about his past
While the sheriff’s resume claimed he served at the El Paso Police Department until 1984, newspaper records show he actually left in 1982 after facing a series of suspensions.
The outlet also found that in a December 2025 deposition, Nanos testified he had never been suspended at work, despite what the newly uncovered records revealed.
Nanos allegedly provided false reasons for leaving the El Paso Police Department when applying to Pima County, according to the sheriff’s department labor union, the Pima County Deputy’s Organization.
‘A FOIA of his personnel file shows he did not disclose that he resigned in lieu of termination, listing “personal reasons and better paying job” instead,’ the union wrote on Facebook. ‘Lying on your application would prohibit anyone from being hired.’
He is also accused of retaliating against a political rival who ran for sheriff at the same time by placing her ‘on paid administrative leave for political gain.’
The Arizona law requiring Nanos to address the allegations states that if he does not comply, he could be ‘removed from office by the board and the office declared vacant. The board may then fill the vacancy.’
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office told KOLD that Nanos intends to comply with the request.
