Topline: A Hawthorne man has admitted he sent fake ransom messages to Nancy Guthrie’s family while the high-profile abduction case was unfolding.
Published: July 4, 2026 10:30 am ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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Derrick Callella, left, and Nancy Guthrie (via California DMV / Family handout)
PHOENIX, AZ — Derrick Callella pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Arizona to charges tied to fake ransom communications sent to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
The Los Angeles Times reported Callella, a Hawthorne man, pleaded guilty to transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten or harass a person.
He faces up to 10 years of probation when he is sentenced Sept. 10.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her Tucson-area home on Feb. 1 after she was last seen the previous night when she was dropped off around 9:45 p.m.
With Guthrie missing, the FBI released doorbell camera images showing an armed and masked man outside her home the morning she vanished. Federal investigators have labeled that unidentified man a suspect in the abduction.
Prosecutors said that a few days after Nancy Guthrie disappeared, Callella used a voice-over-internet text and call application to secretly contact members of the Guthrie family. Investigators said authorities were able to trace the phone number to his email address and eventually to his residence.
According to the criminal complaint, one of the messages read, “Did you get the bitcoin were waiting on our end for the transaction,” and was sent to at least two family members.
Authorities said Callella texted the family twice and called them at least once. Prosecutors said he later admitted sending the two text messages.
In his plea, Callella admitted that on Feb. 4 he called and sent text messages to the family of a missing person asking about a bitcoin transfer and said his actions were meant to harass the family while seeking information about the investigation.
The FBI’s Phoenix office said this week that some ransom notes tied to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance may have been legitimate while others were ruled out as extortion attempts. The bureau said the case is still being investigated as a kidnapping-for-ransom case.
According to the Times, at least two ransom notes were also sent to Arizona television stations, including one demanding cryptocurrency for Nancy Guthrie’s release and another claiming the grandmother, who had a pacemaker, had died.
Federal officials also said Callella is the same man who was charged in Los Angeles County in October in a separate unemployment fraud case involving county workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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California Man Admits Sending Fake Ransom Notes to Nancy Guthrie’s Family During Abduction Case
A Hawthorne man has admitted he sent fake ransom messages to Nancy Guthrie’s family while the high-profile abduction case was unfolding.
By Randy Shaw
Published: July 4, 2026 10:30 am ET
Derrick Callella, left, and Nancy Guthrie (via California DMV / Family handout)
PHOENIX, AZ — Derrick Callella pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Arizona to charges tied to fake ransom communications sent to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
The Los Angeles Times reported Callella, a Hawthorne man, pleaded guilty to transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten or harass a person.
He faces up to 10 years of probation when he is sentenced Sept. 10.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her Tucson-area home on Feb. 1 after she was last seen the previous night when she was dropped off around 9:45 p.m.
With Guthrie missing, the FBI released doorbell camera images showing an armed and masked man outside her home the morning she vanished. Federal investigators have labeled that unidentified man a suspect in the abduction.
Prosecutors said that a few days after Nancy Guthrie disappeared, Callella used a voice-over-internet text and call application to secretly contact members of the Guthrie family. Investigators said authorities were able to trace the phone number to his email address and eventually to his residence.
According to the criminal complaint, one of the messages read, “Did you get the bitcoin were waiting on our end for the transaction,” and was sent to at least two family members.
Authorities said Callella texted the family twice and called them at least once. Prosecutors said he later admitted sending the two text messages.
In his plea, Callella admitted that on Feb. 4 he called and sent text messages to the family of a missing person asking about a bitcoin transfer and said his actions were meant to harass the family while seeking information about the investigation.
The FBI’s Phoenix office said this week that some ransom notes tied to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance may have been legitimate while others were ruled out as extortion attempts. The bureau said the case is still being investigated as a kidnapping-for-ransom case.
According to the Times, at least two ransom notes were also sent to Arizona television stations, including one demanding cryptocurrency for Nancy Guthrie’s release and another claiming the grandmother, who had a pacemaker, had died.
Federal officials also said Callella is the same man who was charged in Los Angeles County in October in a separate unemployment fraud case involving county workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
California Man Admits Sending Fake Ransom Notes to Nancy Guthrie’s Family During Abduction Case
A Hawthorne man has admitted he sent fake ransom messages to Nancy Guthrie’s family while the high-profile abduction case was unfolding.
By Randy Shaw
Published: July 4, 2026 10:30 am ET
Derrick Callella, left, and Nancy Guthrie (via California DMV / Family handout)
PHOENIX, AZ — Derrick Callella pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Arizona to charges tied to fake ransom communications sent to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of “Today” show co-host Savannah Guthrie.
The Los Angeles Times reported Callella, a Hawthorne man, pleaded guilty to transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten or harass a person.
He faces up to 10 years of probation when he is sentenced Sept. 10.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, disappeared from her Tucson-area home on Feb. 1 after she was last seen the previous night when she was dropped off around 9:45 p.m.
With Guthrie missing, the FBI released doorbell camera images showing an armed and masked man outside her home the morning she vanished. Federal investigators have labeled that unidentified man a suspect in the abduction.
Prosecutors said that a few days after Nancy Guthrie disappeared, Callella used a voice-over-internet text and call application to secretly contact members of the Guthrie family. Investigators said authorities were able to trace the phone number to his email address and eventually to his residence.
According to the criminal complaint, one of the messages read, “Did you get the bitcoin were waiting on our end for the transaction,” and was sent to at least two family members.
Authorities said Callella texted the family twice and called them at least once. Prosecutors said he later admitted sending the two text messages.
In his plea, Callella admitted that on Feb. 4 he called and sent text messages to the family of a missing person asking about a bitcoin transfer and said his actions were meant to harass the family while seeking information about the investigation.
The FBI’s Phoenix office said this week that some ransom notes tied to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance may have been legitimate while others were ruled out as extortion attempts. The bureau said the case is still being investigated as a kidnapping-for-ransom case.
According to the Times, at least two ransom notes were also sent to Arizona television stations, including one demanding cryptocurrency for Nancy Guthrie’s release and another claiming the grandmother, who had a pacemaker, had died.
Federal officials also said Callella is the same man who was charged in Los Angeles County in October in a separate unemployment fraud case involving county workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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