Nancy Guthrie sheriff Chris Nanos hit with $1.3M lawsuit: Report

(NewsNation) — The sheriff leading the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is reportedly being sued for over $1 million.

A lawsuit was filed against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department by an Arizona inmate seeking $1.35 million, Newsweek reported.

Reportedly, the inmate, Christopher Michael Marx, alleges his life was endangered. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

Marx, an inmate at the Pima County Jail, alleges Nanos and the department violated Article Two of the Arizona State Constitution, otherwise known as the Declaration of Rights.

According to Newsweek, Marx alleges his life was put in jeopardy after a sheriff’s deputy did not disinfect himself, nor was Nanos working to ensure COVID-19 was being contained even though another unit was in quarantine after an inmate contracted the virus.

“I could have died,” the inmate reportedly wrote in the lawsuit, referring to possibly contracting the virus.

Marx is seeking the compensation to buy apartments for the unhoused, he says, and desires an apology from Nanos, as well as asking the police department to “make sure that they properly disinfect their bodies when the deputies are working two units at a time and one of these units is quarantined.” 

Nanos has gained nationwide recognition for his involvement and handling of the search for Nancy Guthrie. Authorities do not have any knowledge of Guthrie’s whereabouts as the search heads toward Day 39.

The 84-year-old mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie was reported missing Feb. 1, and authorities believe she was abducted from her home in the late night or early morning hours. Although multiple ransom notes have been reported, she has still not been located.

Nanos told NBC News earlier this month investigators were “definitely closer” to tracking down a suspect, or suspects, in the case.