Nancy Guthrie Case Latest News: A federal judge has dismissed Arizona inmate Christopher Michael Marx’s $1.35 million lawsuit against Sheriff Chris Nanos, who is leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Arizona inmate Christopher Michael Marx against Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, the law enforcement official leading the investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
The lawsuit, which sought $1.35 million in damages, was officially dismissed on July 1 by the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona after Marx failed to comply with a court order regarding filing fees and required paperwork. The dismissal order was reviewed by Newsweek.
Nancy Guthrie Case Latest News: Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Without Prejudice
According to the court order, Marx had been instructed on March 11, 2026 to either pay the required $350 civil filing fee and $55 administrative fee or submit an application to proceed in forma pauperis, which allows litigants to pursue a case without paying court costs.
The July 1 order stated:
“Pursuant to the Court’s order filed March 11, 2026, judgment is entered in favor of defendants and against plaintiff. Plaintiff to take nothing, and complaint and action are dismissed without prejudice for failure to comply with the Court’s order.”
Because the case was dismissed without prejudice, Marx could potentially refile the lawsuit if he meets the court’s procedural requirements.
Nancy Guthrie Case Latest News: What Christopher Marx Alleged
Marx, who is being held at the Pima County Adult Detention Center, filed the complaint on March 5 against Sheriff Nanos and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. In his filing, Marx claimed that a sheriff’s deputy endangered his life by moving between two jail units, one of which had been placed under quarantine after an inmate tested positive for COVID-19. Marx alleged that the deputy failed to properly disinfect before entering his unit and argued that Sheriff Nanos was not adequately enforcing COVID-19 containment measures.
“My life was put in harm’s way by the actions of the sheriff” and sheriff’s deputies, Marx wrote, adding that he could have contracted COVID-19 and “died.”
Nancy Guthrie Case Latest News: Marx Sought an Apology and $1.35 Million
The inmate claimed that the sheriff’s department violated Article 2 of the Arizona Constitution, also known as the Declaration of Rights.
Marx requested:
-
A formal apology from Sheriff Nanos.
-
Improved disinfection procedures for deputies working across multiple jail units.
-
$1.35 million in damages.
According to the complaint, Marx said he intended to use the money to donate two apartment buildings that would provide six months of free housing for homeless individuals.
Nancy Guthrie Case Latest News: Judge’s Earlier Warning
District Judge Raner C. Collins had previously warned Marx that failure to either pay the fees or submit a complete in forma pauperis application, including a certified six-month trust account statement, would result in dismissal.
The March order stated that if Marx failed to comply within 30 days, the court clerk would enter a judgment dismissing the action without further notice. Court records indicate that Marx did not satisfy those requirements by the deadline.
Nancy Guthrie Case Latest News: Connection to the Nancy Guthrie Investigation
Although Sheriff Nanos is currently overseeing the high-profile investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the lawsuit itself was unrelated to Guthrie’s case. The complaint focused solely on conditions at the Pima County jail and alleged COVID-19 safety violations. Newsweek reported that it has contacted the Pima County Sheriff’s Department for comment regarding the dismissal.
