The Tucson Police Department in Arizona has said it arrested former Pima County Sheriff’s deputy Travis Reynolds, 22, on one count of kidnapping tied to alleged on-duty misconduct in the department confirmed to Fox News Digital.
The Context
The arrest of a former deputy on a kidnapping charge comes as Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos faces a no-confidence vote and mounting scrutiny over the department’s handling of a separate case—the search for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, missing mother of Today show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
What To Know
The Tucson Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Reynolds was taken into custody and charged with kidnapping, adding that the investigation remains active and declining to release more details.
Reynolds was fired by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department—which has been investigating Guthrie’s disappearance—following his arrest, the outlet reported.
The department reportedly declined to comment to Fox News digital on whether Reynolds had any role in Guthrie’s case before he was terminated.
According to an interim complaint reported by Tucson news outlet KOLD, Reynolds allegedly commented on a female detainee’s appearance, shared a vape pen with her while she remained handcuffed, and suggested going to a hotel to have sex.
The complaint alleges that Reynolds showed the detainee sexually explicit videos, and also says he instructed the alleged victim to expose herself before taking her into the jail, according to KOLD. It also reported that jail surveillance video corroborated parts of the incident account.
Reynolds’ defense attorney said he has no prior criminal history and is a lifelong Arizona resident, per Fox News Digital.
Newsweek contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and Tucson Police Department for comment via email early on Sunday.
What People Are Saying
The Tucson Police Department told Fox News Digital: “The Tucson Police Department did arrest 22-year-old Travis Reynolds, a former Pima County Sheriff’s deputy, and charged him with one count of kidnapping in connection with alleged misconduct that reportedly occurred while he was on duty.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said, per Fox News Digital: “The Tucson Police Department notified the Pima County Sheriff’s Department of the arrest, and the employee was terminated.
It added: “We don’t have any additional information to provide.”
What Happens Next
Reynolds will appear for a preliminary hearing on April 6, according to Fox News Digital.
Newsweek previously reported the deputies’ union unanimously passed a no-confidence vote in Sheriff Nanos, citing concerns including his disciplinary history and calling for his resignation as the search for Nancy Guthrie continued.
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