by Staff Reporter | Apr 26, 2026 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A Pima County supervisor wants the sheriff out of office after details of his past misconduct came to light.
Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz is accusing Nanos of “perpetrat[ing] a fraud” on the Pima County community for decades. Heinz has been calling for Nanos’ ouster for over a month now.
Nanos, no stranger to controversy, came under fire again for his alleged mishandling of the investigation into the apparent kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, 84. Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson home nearly three months ago. As of this report, no leads about her kidnapper(s) have been made public.
Doubts over his administration of the high-profile disappearance prompted further scrutiny into Nanos’ past. The Arizona Republic reported on records indicating that Nanos falsified his resume in order to be hired by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) over 40 years ago.
Nanos is accused of failing to disclose the alleged misconduct that led to his resignation while working for the El Paso Police Department in New Mexico back in the 1980s.
Nanos received 37 days of suspension or leave for eight misconduct incidents, ranging from poor behaviors to violence. One incident yielded a 15-day suspension for allegedly beating a handcuffed robbery suspect seated in the back of a cop car with a flashlight.
According to reports, it was that latter incident that caused the El Paso Police Department to be sued and forced Nanos to resign in 1982 in lieu of termination. However, Nanos claimed on his resume that he left the El Paso Police Department in 1984.
“He’s a bad cop. He made really bad decisions, and then lied about his past to convince then-Pima County officials to hire him back in 1984. He also lied about that gap in time. He used to say 1982,” said Heinz in an interview with NewsNation. “We shouldn’t even know his name. We should not know the name Nanos.”
PCSD said in a press release issued last month that the date discrepancies were “administrative in nature” and weren’t part of an intentional effort to mislead or misrepresent Nanos’ work history.
Heinz also accused Nanos of holding a grudge against the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) over a 2015-2016 investigation into his department over the possible misuse of around $500,000 in Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) funds. That investigation ended up costing Nanos his chief deputy, who was indicted, and ultimately the sheriff’s race.
“He has held a grudge against the FBI and refused to fully work with them going forward,” said Heinz.
Heinz said it was possible this potential personal grievance by Nanos had jeopardized Guthrie’s case.
Nanos’s attorney, James Cool, said in a statement that the sheriff’s past has no bearing on his present conduct.
“Whatever the Sheriff did or did not do before being elected is necessarily unrelated to his performance of the duties of his office,” stated Cool.
During their next meeting (May 12), the Pima County Board of Supervisors plan to review a report submitted by Nanos answering questions about his employment history and current administration. The board has entertained considerations of removal proceedings, but hasn’t made any final decisions.
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 20, 2026 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is facing a recall effort that could trigger a countywide election if supporters gather enough signatures in the coming months.
The recall effort was launched on March 12 and has been confirmed by the Pima County Elections Department. Organizers will have 120 days to collect more than 120,000 valid signatures to qualify the recall for the ballot.
If the required number of signatures is verified, a recall election would be held in which any qualified candidate could run, with the top vote-getter winning the office.
Nanos acknowledged the effort, stating, “We’re aware of the recall, and it’s the right of the people. We’ll always honor the will of the people, and that’s what makes democracy.”
The recall effort is being led by Daniel Butierez, a Republican candidate who ran for Congress against Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ07) in 2025.
In a post to X on March 12, Butierez called on Nanos to resign, writing, “He has lost the trust of the people. If he does not by the end of Friday, I will begin to organize the effort to recall Nanos.”
He subsequently launched the recall effort with a follow-up post on March 17.
The effort comes amid a series of controversies surrounding the sheriff. Nanos recently addressed discrepancies in his work history following reports of what his office called “clerical errors,” which were “administrative in nature.” A county inmate has also filed a $1.3 million lawsuit against him and his department.
Nanos has also faced national scrutiny over his department’s handling of the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of television host Savannah Guthrie. In addition, the sheriff has been at odds with the Pima County Board of Supervisors over budget issues, according to KOLD.
Arizona law allows voters to recall local elected officials, but such efforts are relatively uncommon and infrequently successful. Notable exceptions, include the 2011 recall of former state Senate President Russell Pearce and the 2025 recall of Mesa Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Staff Reporter | Sep 19, 2025 | News
By Staff Reporter |
A Pima County Sheriff’s office deputy was placed on leave with pay after making threats to President Donald Trump on social media.
Deputy Ramon Hernandez made the threats following the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk last week.
Hernandez called for Trump’s assassination, celebrated Kirk’s assassination, and called for revolution in multiple posts.
“Death to pedophile rapist Trump,” posted Hernandez, sharing a video depicting news coverage of pro-Palestinian protesters interrupting a Trump dinner in Washington, D.C.
“Death to Israel, death to pedo-Trump,” said Hernandez, sharing a post describing Israel’s recent bombing of Doha, Qatar.
“[Trump is a] piece of shit human. REVOLUTION,” posted Hernandez, in response to news of a court allowing Trump to defund Planned Parenthood pending case review of Medicaid funding.
“Feel bad for his kids, then again, they’re probably better off,” said Hernandez, sharing posts from Kirk that criticized Islam and Gaza.
“For the past 2 years I’ve been watching children’s bodies snipped and shredded to bits by U.S. bombs and Israel pushing the button….. And here we are feeling empathy for Charlie who only promoted hate, racism and was all for the annihilation of the Palestinians. Ironically Charlie didn’t believe in ‘empathy.’ We are well past the red line in this country. A pedophile rapist for a president, the military initiated for no real reason against its own citizens, ICE abducting anyone of color….. We are long overdue for a revolution. As for poor Charlie, that’s his own karma that got him where he now lays. Stand on the right side of history, especially if you’re a cop. Cops for Palestine.”
Hernandez called for the “tak[ing] out” of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Secret Service launched a criminal investigation into Hernandez.
Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a video statement that they were concerned about Hernandez’s posts, which he said were “alleged to be inappropriate.” Nanos said they would open their own investigation pending the outcome of the federal investigation.
“We have been notified by several citizens, as well as the Secret Service. The Secret Service is conducting a criminal investigation as we speak, and we are cooperating fully. To that point, we have protocols that are governed by law and by policy,” said Nanos. “To be clear, this sheriff and this department does not and will never condone violence of any kind. We hold our team to a higher standard: a level of professionalism that’s above all. We expect the best out of our team at all times, 24/7, not just during their eight-hour day.”
A Secret Service spokesperson told KJZZ that they couldn’t comment on active investigations.
“We take all threats against our protectees seriously,” stated the spokesperson. “As a matter of practice, we do not comment on matters involving protective intelligence.”
Earlier this summer, Hernandez was featured in the news as a protester against Trump’s immigration policies. Hernandez carried a Palestinian flag.
“Standing up for Indigenous people, decolonization is the main thing,” said Hernandez. “If we’re able to liberate Palestine, we’re able to liberate the world.”
AZ Free News is your #1 source for Arizona news and politics. You can send us news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Mar 10, 2025 | News
By Mathew Holloway |
The verdict is in on Governor Katie Hobbs’ “Operation Desert Guardian” from Arizona’s Border Sheriffs, and it isn’t good for the Democrat governor.
As the governor faces dwindling popularity poll numbers, fellow Democrat Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos bailed on a lengthy online conference about Hobbs’ border task force, saying “I don’t need another task force.” Noting his membership in four other collaborative efforts combating drugs and human trafficking, he noted, “I’m sorry, I just don’t. And so, I’m out.”
Nanos said his department will not be participating in a devastating blow to the governor’s initiative, given that Pima County covers approximately 31.6% or nearly a third of Arizona’s border with Mexico. The move also has serious political implications. Nanos was one of Hobbs’ biggest supporters during her campaign, even going so far as to cut a campaign ad for her.
Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot, a Republican, offered similar pushback saying, “Let’s not waste state tax payer money on building something that doesn’t need to be rebuilt.”
Both sheriffs were reportedly taken aback by Hobbs’ surprise Executive Order and offered serious criticism of her and the goals of the operation. They told reporters that the work the task force is set to tackle is already being done and would be duplicative, not an added benefit.
“The state is not going to come in to rescue us and be the savior of what we’ve been dealing with,” Wilmot said, noting that the border Sheriffs’ departments offer a wealth of ground-level experience. “They need to come in and be a partner.”
According to a follow up report from AZCentral, Yuma County will participate after a meeting with Hobbs earlier this week.
Speaking with KGUN, Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels had his own doubts, “My budgets are already fulfilled. They’re maximized. And so if there are expectations that my office will be doing something without the budget, chances are we won’t do it… I can’t do it.”
Dannels asked, “What’s the cost to my agency? What’s it going to mean for resources? What are they going to take care of that I don’t already have?” He expressed that he wasn’t made aware of the task force, and though he has hopes it could complement his department’s actions, he said, “I don’t know. I have not seen an operational plan.”
Republican Governor’s Association Rapid Response Director Kollin Crompton suggested Hobbs’ political motives in a statement to AZ Free News saying, “Katie Hobbs’ desperate attempt to cover up her open border policies won’t work, and border county sheriffs of both parties know she’s a disaster. Arizonans want a secure border and safe communities, that’s not possible as long as Katie Hobbs is governor.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Corinne Murdock | Sep 15, 2023 | News
By Corinne Murdock |
A Pima County sheriff is accused of delaying an investigation into an alleged sexual assault of a female deputy, prompting community outcry.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos reportedly put the investigation into the incident “on hold.”
A female deputy accused her supervisor, Ricardo Garcia, of sexual assault following a party at his residence last December. A hospital rape kit confirmed the presence of Garcia’s DNA on the victim. Garcia was arrested in January and subsequently fired.
Last month, the deputy filed a $900,000 claim against Garcia and Pima County. The deputy filed a formal complaint alleging that her chain of command were aware of her being sexually assaulted that December night, and refused to intervene for over 80 minutes.
“Defendants and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department conducted themselves in a manner, in their individual or official capacities that clearly violated the established rights of the deputy,” stated the claim. “Their actions caused and/or contributed to serious ongoing, and likely permanent injuries sustained by the deputy that resulted in her assault and rape, and the mismanagement of the following investigation.”
The Pima County Deputy’s Organization (PCDO) issued a statement expressing outrage at Nano’s actions.
“Sheriff Nanos failed to launch his own investigation in the months that followed to determine why her Lieutenant, Captain, and Chief allowed her to continue to be assaulted,” stated PCDO. “Her Lieutenant even responded to the location and stood outside, doing nothing, while she was assaulted inside for over an hour.”
PCDO added that the suspect and the chief, Joseph Cameron, were “well-known friend(s),” and questioned why Cameron was transferred to oversee Internal Affairs after the incident.
“Was there an attempt to cover up their involvement or complicity in the aftermath?” asked PCDO. “We at the Pima County Deputy’s Organization are outraged that Sheriff Nanos has failed to investigate the serious misconduct amongst his own command that allowed the prolonged sexual assault of a deputy.”
Cameron’s profile on the Pima county Sheriff’s Office website stated that his leadership style is the Golden Rule: “treat others the way you want to be treated.”
The Pima County Republican Party called for Nanos to resign.
Just months before the sexual assault incident, Nanos endorsed Gov. Katie Hobbs’ candidacy and was featured in one of her campaign videos. Nanos, a registered Democrat, has been dismissive of the ongoing border crisis.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
