A man from California has pleaded guilty to charges related to sending fraudulent ransom demands to Nancy Guthrie’s family. This troubling incident has captured the attention of many as it unfolds in the wake of Guthrie’s mysterious disappearance.
The Charges Against Derrick Callella
Derrick Callella, a resident of Hawthorne, entered a guilty plea on July 2 for two serious charges: transmitting a ransom demand across state lines and using a telecommunications device to harass or threaten individuals. Federal authorities have stated that he will receive a sentence on September 10, along with 10 years of probation.
Background of the Incident
The case garnered significant public interest when Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing on February 1, the day after she failed to return home from a visit to church. Investigators later released footage of a masked individual at her doorstep, further heightening concerns about her safety.
Amid this distressing situation, Nancy’s family posted an emotional video pleading for the kidnappers to reach out. Shortly after, they received text messages from a California phone number demanding payment in Bitcoin, stating, “Did you get the bitcoin? We’re waiting on our end for the transaction.” Authorities traced this number back to a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) service and linked it to Callella.
Upon being questioned, Callella confessed to sending the messages. He informed investigators that he had gathered the Guthrie family’s details from a website, indicating he had been closely following the case.
In light of these developments, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department has initiated a reward of over $1 million in conjunction with the FBI for any credible tips that could lead to Nancy’s recovery. Individuals with information are urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, while a dedicated tipline has been established for community submissions.
