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A man from California has been taken into custody for allegedly sending fraudulent ransom messages to Savannah Guthrie’s family during the ongoing search for their missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.
On February 5, Derrick Callella, aged 42, was apprehended by the FBI. This followed an investigation that connected him to text messages and a phone call directed at the Guthrie family earlier in the week, as per a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Following the arrest, U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine emphasized their commitment to protecting victims and families, stating, “The Department of Justice will ensure that those exploiting grief are brought to justice.” He further highlighted the case’s swift resolution, achieved in less than 24 hours due to the collaborative efforts of the FBI, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Derrick Callella Accused of Making Phony Texts, Call to Guthrie Family
Callella reportedly contacted Savannah’s sister, Annie, and her husband after seeing the family’s appeal for information, which was shared on Savannah’s Instagram on February 4. The post requested any potential captors to communicate and provide proof of Nancy’s well-being.
Authorities suspect that Nancy was forcibly taken from her Tucson, Arizona residence late on January 31 or in the early hours of February 1. This conclusion was drawn after discovering the 84-year-old’s blood on her home’s porch.
Not long after seeing the family’s plea for Nancy’s safe return, authorities say Derrick texted Annie and her husband, “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction,” according to a criminal complaint in the case.
He is also accused of calling one of Nancy’s family members in a call that lasted nine seconds.
Law enforcement authorities traced the number used to make the texts and call to a voice over internet protocol application that allows users to get another phone number for their mobile device. Electronic data uncovered during the investigation led them to an internet protocol (IP) address linked to Callella’s California residence.
The 42-year-old ultimately admitted to sending the the text messages, according to the complaint, after following the case in the media and finding the family’s contact information online.
According to the complaint, “When he said that he sent text messages he was trying to see if the family would respond.”
Derrick is now facing charges of transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person.
FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke remarked after the arrest, “To those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation – we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.”
Savannah Guthrie’s Brother Makes New Plea to Possible Captors
Investigators have said that Derrick’s texts “have not been linked” to an earlier Feb. 2 ransom demand sent to local and national media outlets, per the complaint.
That note—which authorities are still working to determine its legitimacy—gave the family an initial deadline of 5 p.m. on Feb. 5 to respond.
“The ransom note that was distributed to the media did make a demand for 5pm today, and if a transfer wasn’t made, then I think a second demand was for next Monday,” Janke told reporters at a Feb. 5 press conference. “We’re not going to go beyond that.”
A second message from the family, featuring Savannah’s brother Camron Guthrie, was released on Feb. 5 asking those behind Nancy’s abduction to reach out to them directly.
“Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you,” he said in the video posted to Instagram. “We haven’t heard anything directly. We need you to reach out, and we need a way to communicate with you so we can move forward. But first, we have to know that you have our mom. We want to talk to you, and we are waiting for contact.”
Although no suspects have been identified in the missing persons case, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told reporters at the press conference Feb. 5 that they are looking into every possibility.
“We’re actively looking at everybody we come across, in this case, everybody,” he said. “We would be irresponsible if we didn’t talk to everybody.”
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward to anyone with information about Nancy’s whereabouts or the identification those who may be responsible for the disappearance.