Pima County Deputy Arrested on Kidnapping Charges Amid Guthrie Probe

A former sheriff’s deputy in Arizona is now facing serious criminal charges after what authorities describe as a disturbing abuse of power involving a detained woman.

Travis Reynolds, 22, a former deputy with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, was arrested by the Tucson Police Department and charged with kidnapping. The allegations stem from an incident in which Reynolds was transporting a handcuffed female detainee to jail.

During a court appearance in Pima County, a judge set Reynolds’ bond at $200,000, ordered that he have no contact with the alleged victim, and barred him from possessing firearms. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 6.

“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 department told Fox News Digital.

Officials noted that the investigation “is still active and ongoing,” offering limited additional details. “The Tucson Police Department notified the Pima County Sheriff’s Department of the arrest, and the employee was terminated,” the agency added. “We don’t have any additional information to provide.”

The case has intensified scrutiny on the sheriff’s department, which is already under public pressure over its handling of the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, a high-profile case that has drawn national attention.

According to court documents obtained by KOLD, Reynolds allegedly made inappropriate remarks to the detainee during transport. Investigators say he shared a vape device with the woman—who was restrained in handcuffs—and suggested he could “help” her legal situation.

The complaint further alleges that Reynolds proposed taking the woman to a hotel and engaging in sexual activity, showed her explicit videos, and delayed her booking while other detainees were being processed—raising serious concerns about misconduct within the system.

The alleged victim told investigators she felt intimidated due to Reynolds’ position of authority and the fact that she was in custody. She also suggested the possibility that this behavior may not have been an isolated incident, according to statements presented in court.

Prosecutors did not mince words during the initial hearing, describing the accusations as “very, very concerning,” particularly given the power imbalance between a sworn officer and a detainee. They also indicated there may be signs of a broader pattern.

Authorities say the woman is “very afraid” of Reynolds, with prosecutors warning of potential retaliation.

Investigators allege Reynolds removed the detainee from the transport vehicle, instructed her to expose herself, and later brought her into the jail facility. Surveillance footage is said to support parts of her account. When questioned, Reynolds reportedly told investigators he “may or may not” have shown explicit material or discussed sexual conduct with the detainee.

His defense attorney emphasized that Reynolds has no prior criminal record and has lived in Arizona his entire life.

Meanwhile, officials declined to say whether Reynolds had any involvement in the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance prior to his termination, further fueling concerns about transparency within the department.

In an emotional development tied to that case, NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie spoke publicly last week about her family’s anguish.

“Today,” anchor Savannah Guthrie expressed last week in her first on-air interview, “my family is in ‘agony,'” following her mother being reported missing after being taken from her Arizona home on February 1.

“Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony, we are in agony,” a tearful Guthrie told co-host Hoda Kotb on Wednesday.

As the investigation continues, the case raises broader concerns about accountability in law enforcement, the protection of detainees, and the need for transparency in agencies entrusted with public safety.