Pima County Sheriff faces $3.25M lawsuit over Nancy Guthrie investigation

Carlos Palazuelos and Daniel Maddox, along with Maddox’s mother Josefina, have filed a notice of claim against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and Detective Earl Gieron for wrongful detention during the February 2024 investigation of Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping. The claim alleges that Palazuelos was arrested at gunpoint and held for seven to eight hours without probable cause, and that Maddox was handcuffed and detained outside his family home. The plaintiffs seek $2.5 million from Palazuelos, $250,000 each from Maddox and his mother for assault, false arrest, defamation and property damage, bringing the total demand to $3.25 million. The filing says the arrests were intended to protect the sheriff’s public image and shield the department from criticism. No criminal charges have been filed against the men, and the sheriff’s office has not responded to comment requests.