- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Quantico Today
By the People, for the People
Sheriff accused of blocking FBI access to evidence in Nancy Guthrie kidnapping
Federal officials say the Pima County Sheriff is outsourcing forensic analysis to a private lab, denying the FBI access to crucial evidence.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Federal officials are accusing the Pima County Sheriff's Office of withholding "key evidence" in the kidnapping of 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. The FBI has requested physical evidence, including a glove and DNA from Guthrie's home, to be processed at the FBI's national crime lab in Quantico, Virginia, but the sheriff has insisted on using a private lab in Florida instead, effectively denying the FBI access to crucial evidence in the case.
Why it matters
The Guthrie kidnapping case has gained national attention due to the victim being the mother of a prominent journalist. Denying the FBI access to evidence could significantly delay the investigation and the search for justice for the Guthrie family.
The details
According to the report, the Pima County sheriff has primary jurisdiction over the case, and FBI assistance must be officially requested by the county. The official said the county has spent some $200,000 so far to send evidence in the Guthrie case to the Florida lab, rather than allowing the FBI to process it at their national crime lab in Quantico.
- The FBI requested the evidence from the Pima County Sheriff's Office.
The players
Chris Nanos
The Pima County Sheriff who has insisted on using a private lab in Florida to process evidence, rather than allowing the FBI to access it.
Nancy Guthrie
An 84-year-old woman who was kidnapped, whose case has gained national attention due to her being the mother of a prominent journalist.
FBI
The federal law enforcement agency that has requested access to physical evidence in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, but has been denied by the Pima County Sheriff's Office.
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide whether the Pima County Sheriff's Office must grant the FBI access to the evidence in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping investigation.
The takeaway
This case highlights the tensions between local law enforcement and federal agencies, and the potential consequences when crucial evidence is withheld from federal investigators, especially in high-profile cases that impact the broader community.
