Lawyers for two Arizona men detained during the search for Nancy Guthrie, as well as the mother of one of the men, have issued a notice of claim against the Pima County sheriff and a detective.The notice of claim, which is a precursor to a possible lawsuit, is addressed to Sheriff Chris Nanos and a detective.
It alleges wrongful arrest and property damage.Carlos Palazuelos, one of the men named in the claim, was detained Feb.
10 for questioning and released later without any charges as authorities searched for who kidnapped Guthrie, the mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, earlier that month.The same day, the other man, Daniel Maddox, was placed in handcuffs at the home that was searched and held for several hours, the notice says.It also names his mother, who owns the home and alleges damage to the property.
The notice, dated Monday and obtained by NBC affiliate KVOA of Tucson, says that deputies “arrested Carlos at gunpoint and held him without probable cause for approximately seven to eight hours” and that the arrest was made in a public fashion.Add NBC News to GoogleNancy Guthrie investigation pursuing 'every credible lead,' says Pima County Sheriff's Department03:00The notice of claim, which KVOA reported has been filed, says that Palazuelos is innocent and that his home was “ransacked.” It alleges physical, emotional and reputational harm.It also says that Nanos posted on social media that a person had been arrested and that “the subject is currently being questioned in connection to the Nancy Guthrie investigation.” That post, in conjunction with statements from the sheriff’s office, made Palazuelos look like a suspect to the world, the notice says.Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks to the media in Tucson on Feb.
3.Jan Sonnenmair / Getty Images file“Despite requests by undersigned counsel, Sheriff Nanos and the PCSD have refused to retract their statements or to make clear that Carlos is innocent and had no involvement in ...