A former Arizona deputy has been arrested on serious kidnapping charges and immediately dismissed from the sheriff's department that is currently spearheading the high-profile Nancy Guthrie investigation. Ex-Pima County deputy Travis Reynolds, aged 22, was taken into custody on Thursday and faces allegations of kidnapping a detainee he was transporting to the Pima County Jail.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The Tucson Police Department has charged Reynolds with one count of kidnapping related to alleged misconduct that reportedly occurred while he was on official duty. According to a police statement obtained by Fox News, the deputy refused to take the female inmate into the jail for approximately two hours, instead forcing her to remain outside in his patrol vehicle.
Inappropriate Conduct and Explicit Content
Officials stated that Reynolds made inappropriate comments about the inmate's appearance, allegedly calling her 'hot' and a 'MILF,' as reported by 12News. A complaint obtained by KOLD further details that while in the transport vehicle, he offered the prisoner his vape pen and told her he could 'help her with her case.'
The complaint also alleges that Reynolds suggested they could go to a hotel and have sex, while denying her repeated requests to be taken inside the jail. The victim reported seeing multiple officers coming and going with their arrestees during this time, wondering why she was still detained in the vehicle.
Escalation of the Allegations
More disturbingly, the victim accused Reynolds of showing her sexually explicit videos and instructing her to show him her breasts. It was only after she exposed her bra that Reynolds finally removed the inmate from the car and brought her inside the facility, according to the complaint. Surveillance footage from Pima County Jail has reportedly corroborated key aspects of her account.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
Reynolds appeared in court on Friday following his arrest. Prosecutors emphasized the power dynamic between the defendant and victim, stating, 'The victim in this case is very afraid of this defendant because of the power position that he had, of the power dynamics and that he might retaliate against her.'
The defense argued that Reynolds has no prior criminal history and has been a lifelong resident of Arizona. However, the judge set his bond at $200,000 and ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim, along with a prohibition on weapons possession. Reynolds is scheduled to appear in court again on April 6, with police confirming the investigation remains 'active and ongoing.'
Department Response and Termination
Following his arrest and given the serious nature of the allegations, Reynolds's employment with the Pima County Sheriff's Office was immediately terminated. The sheriff's office confirmed, 'The Tucson Police Department notified the Pima County Sheriff’s Department of the arrest, and the employee was terminated.' Officials declined to clarify whether Reynolds had any involvement in the Nancy Guthrie investigation prior to his dismissal.
Context of the Guthrie Investigation
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has been heavily involved in the investigation into Savannah Guthrie's missing mother, Nancy, and has faced criticism for its handling of the case. Sheriff Chris Nanos has come under particular scrutiny, though he recently told the press he had 'no regrets' about his team's decisions.
Nanos brushed off allegations that he mishandled the crime scene at the 84-year-old's Tucson home or botched the investigation, appearing to blame extensive media attention for confusing the process. 'I don’t regret we let the crime scene go too soon or any of that,' he stated. 'That's just silly.'
The Daily Mail has contacted both the Tucson Police Department and the Pima County Sheriff's Office for further comment on these developments.
