The Pima County Sheriff's Department canned one of its deputies after he was arrested on a kidnapping charge, according to KOLD-TV. Deputy Travis Reynolds was booked by the Tucson Police Department Thursday and appeared in court Friday, where a judge set his bond at $200,000. It is the same department looking into Nancy Guthrie’s missing case, though the arrest is not in that respect.
Prosecutors said a female victim told authorities she was afraid of Reynolds because of the "power dynamic" between them after he allegedly called her "hot" and shared a vape pen with her while transporting her to Pima County Jail.
What Did the Deputy Allegedly Do?
According to court documents, Reynolds offered to help the woman with her case, suggesting they could "go to a hotel and have sex." The woman claimed the officer showed her sexually explicit videos and kept her in the car for an extended period. The report said Reynolds "eventually got her out of the vehicle" and demanded she show him her breasts before bringing her into the station.
KOLD reported that video surveillance from the Pima County Jail confirmed parts of the account. Reynolds stated in the complaint that he "may or may not have" discussed having sex with the alleged victim or shown her sexual videos. Reynolds is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 6.
What Is the Sheriff's Department Facing?
The Pima County Sheriff's Department has been under intense scrutiny in recent months. It is the same department leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of "Today" show co-host Savannah Guthrie. Nancy was last seen on Jan. 31 and is believed to have been abducted from her Tucson home.
The department has faced criticism over its handling of the Guthrie case. Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is facing a recall effort, has defended his team's efforts and recently appealed directly to Nancy's captor: "Just give her up. Let her go."
What Is the Latest in the Nancy Guthrie Case?
The case took a new turn Friday with reports that Savannah Guthrie is "livid" with former NewsNation reporter Ashleigh Banfield. Rob Shuter's Naughty But Nice Substack cited a source saying Savannah was blindsided when Banfield suggested her brother-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, was a suspect.
"She was trying to handle this with dignity. Then suddenly someone she knows is being labeled a suspect on national TV. That's devastating," the source said.
What Did Ashleigh Banfield Say?
Only days after Nancy went missing, Banfield cited unnamed sources to report that Cioni "is maybe, maybe a prime suspect in this case." Sheriff Nanos quickly clarified that no family members were suspects.
"To be clear…the Guthrie family-to include all siblings and spouses-has been cleared as possible suspects in this case. The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this," Nanos said in a statement. "To suggest otherwise is not only wrong, it is cruel."
When Will Savannah Guthrie Return to Today?
Savannah Guthrie announced she will return to "Today" on April 6. In an emotional interview with Hoda Kotb, she said: "I can't come back and try to be something that I'm not. But I can't not come back, because it's my family. I think it's part of my purpose right now. I want to smile, and when I do, it will be real, and my joy will be my protest."
FAQs: Pima County Deputy Arrest
Q: What was Deputy Travis Reynolds charged with?
A: He was arrested on a kidnapping charge after allegedly keeping a woman in his patrol car and demanding sexual favors, according to court documents.
Q: What is his bond?
A: A judge set his bond at $200,000. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 6.
Q: Is this related to the Nancy Guthrie case?
A: No. The arrest is unrelated but adds to pressure on the same sheriff's department investigating Nancy's disappearance.
Q: What did Ashleigh Banfield say about the Guthrie case?
A: Banfield suggested Tommaso Cioni was a prime suspect. Sheriff Nanos later cleared the entire family, calling such speculation "cruel."
Q: When will Savannah Guthrie return to Today?
A: She returns April 6, saying, “Joy will be my protest."
Q: What is the status of the Nancy Guthrie investigation?
A: Nancy has been missing since Jan. 31. The FBI released footage of a masked man outside her home. A $1 million reward is offered.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.