Lawyers for two Arizona men detained during the search for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, have issued a notice of claim against the Pima County sheriff and a detective.

Wrongful Arrest Alleged

The notice of claim, which is a precursor to a possible lawsuit, alleges wrongful arrest and property damage. Carlos Palazuelos, one of the men named in the claim, was detained on February 10 for questioning and released later without any charges.

The same day, the other man, Daniel Maddox, was placed in handcuffs at the home that was searched and held for several hours, the notice says. It also names his mother, who owns the home and alleges damage to the property.

The notice says that deputies “arrested Carlos at gunpoint and held him without probable cause for approximately seven to eight hours” and that the arrest was made in a public fashion.

Constitutional Rights at Stake

The notice of claim says that Palazuelos is innocent and that his home was “ransacked.” It alleges physical, emotional, and reputational harm. The notice also says that the sheriff’s post on social media made Palazuelos look like a suspect to the world.

Despite requests by the lawyers, the sheriff’s office has refused to retract their statements or to make clear that Palazuelos is innocent and had no involvement in the Guthrie case.

The notice says Daniel Maddox’s detention in his home “was wrongful and has caused him significant physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering.” It says men in military gear pointed guns at him and told him to lie on the ground in the hallway of his home when he left his room to investigate a loud noise.

The lawyers wrote in the notice that they were offering to settle the claims relating to Palazuelos for $2.5 million. It also offers to settle the claims relating to Daniel Maddox for $500,000 and Josefina Maddox for $250,000.

Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.