Instead of a suspect connected to Nancy Guthrie’s suspected abduction, authorities say they have taken into custody a man accused of exploiting the family’s fear and desperation by sending fraudulent ransom messages referencing bitcoin payments. The arrest underscores a grim reality that often accompanies high-profile cases: when tragedy becomes public, opportunists are rarely far behind.

An arrest that brought mixed emotions

For days, the nation has followed the search for Nancy Guthrie, who was reported missing from her Tucson-area home on Sunday, Feb. 1. Authorities quickly indicated they were treating her disappearance as a criminal matter, raising fears that the elderly woman had been abducted.

As search efforts intensified and the Guthrie family made emotional public pleas, speculation spread rapidly. Reports of ransom notes, anonymous messages, and possible sightings fueled both hope and dread. When news broke that an arrest had been made, many assumed investigators had finally closed in on someone directly involved.

That assumption was short-lived.

Federal officials revealed that the man taken into custody is not believed to have had any role in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Instead, he is accused of sending hoax ransom communications to members of her family—an act prosecutors say was meant to harass, threaten, or provoke a response during one of the family’s most vulnerable moments.

Who was arrested?

The suspect has been identified as Derrick Callella, a Southern California man arrested on Feb. 5 in Hawthorne, a city just south of Los Angeles International Airport.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Callella is facing two federal charges:

Sending a message demanding ransom for the release of a kidnapped person

Placing a phone call without identifying himself, “with the intent to abuse, threaten or harass”

Prosecutors emphasized that these charges stem solely from Callella’s alleged communications with the Guthrie family—not from any involvement in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance itself.

An attorney for Callella was not immediately available for comment.

The message that triggered the arrest

According to TMZ, Callella allegedly sent a text message to Nancy Guthrie’s daughter, Annie, and her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni. The message read:

“Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.”

The wording suggested familiarity with ransom negotiations and appeared designed to pressure the family into believing their loved one was being held. Investigators later determined the message was fraudulent.

Federal authorities say Callella had no connection to any legitimate ransom demand and no evidence links him to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

Timing that raised immediate red flags

According to the criminal complaint, the messages were sent on Feb. 4—just hours after the Guthrie family released a heartbreaking public video pleading for Nancy’s safe return.

In the video, Savannah Guthrie addressed whoever might be responsible for her mother’s disappearance, asking them to communicate and stressing the family’s willingness to talk. The appeal was widely shared across television and social media.

That timing, investigators say, was no coincidence.

Kerry Witherspoon, an FBI special agent, stated that Callella later admitted to sending the messages using a voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VOIP) app, which can obscure a user’s identity.

According to USA Today, the complaint alleges that Callella sent the messages “to see if the family would respond.”

Investigators also say that approximately three minutes after sending the texts, Callella placed a phone call to a family member. The call reportedly lasted just nine seconds before ending.

Not connected to earlier ransom demands

Authorities have been careful to draw a clear distinction between Callella’s alleged actions and other ransom communications tied to the case.

Federal investigators clarified that the two text messages attributed to Callella are not linked to a separate ransom demand sent on Feb. 2 to KOLD, a Tucson-based news outlet.

That earlier message, submitted through the station’s online tip portal, included a bitcoin wallet address and demanded payment for Nancy Guthrie’s release. While officials have not publicly confirmed whether that ransom note is legitimate, they have stated repeatedly that it is being taken seriously.

During a Feb. 5 briefing, Jon Edwards, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s Tucson field office, said:

“We’re taking the ransom note serious, and we are following that part of the investigation.”

Investigators say they continue to analyze digital evidence, trace cryptocurrency activity, and pursue leads connected to that demand.

A history of alleged misconduct

Callella’s arrest in the Guthrie case is not his first encounter with law enforcement.

In October 2025, reports from FOX 11 Los Angeles identified Callella as one of 13 Los Angeles County employees accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in unemployment benefits.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Callella faced one felony count of grand theft and one misdemeanor charge related to the alleged theft of approximately $437,383 in state unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023.

Those allegations are unrelated to the Guthrie case, but prosecutors noted them as part of Callella’s background.

Exploitation during a family’s worst nightmare

For the Guthrie family, Callella’s alleged actions represent more than a legal violation—they represent an intrusion into a moment of profound fear.

Since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, her children have released two emotional videos, posted on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5, directly addressing whoever may be responsible. In both messages, they asked for communication and proof that Nancy is still alive.

Savannah Guthrie, visibly emotional, spoke about the family’s desperation and the difficulty of navigating a world where technology can be used to manipulate voices, images, and messages.

“We too, have heard the reports about a ransom letter in the media,” she said.
“As a family, we are doing everything that we can. We are ready to talk. However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.”

The family’s caution highlights a painful reality: in high-profile cases, every message must be treated with skepticism, even as hope hangs on every word.

FBI issues a stern warning

Federal officials used the announcement of Callella’s arrest to send a broader message to anyone considering exploiting the situation.

Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix field office, issued a sharp warning:

“To those impostors who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation—we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.”

Janke announced the arrest during a Feb. 5 press conference, describing it as tied to an “impostor ransom demand.” He emphasized that such behavior not only harms families but also complicates ongoing investigations by creating noise investigators must sift through.

Why hoax ransom messages are taken seriously

Even when authorities quickly determine that a ransom message is fake, the act itself is considered serious—and often criminal.

Hoax ransom demands can:

Inflict emotional trauma on families already in crisis

Divert law enforcement resources from legitimate leads

Interfere with negotiations if a real abductor exists

Create confusion during time-sensitive investigations

Federal law reflects this severity. Sending a ransom demand—even falsely—can result in significant prison time, particularly when it involves interstate communications or electronic devices.

Authorities say the swift arrest of Callella demonstrates their commitment to protecting victims’ families while maintaining the integrity of the investigation.

The search for Nancy Guthrie continues

Despite the arrest, the central mystery remains unresolved.

No one has yet been arrested in connection with Nancy Guthrie’s suspected abduction. Investigators continue to treat her disappearance as an active criminal case, and search efforts remain ongoing across Arizona and beyond.

The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Nancy Guthrie’s recovery or the arrest of anyone involved in her disappearance.

Officials urge anyone with information—no matter how small it may seem—to come forward.

How to submit tips

Authorities are asking the public to contact:

The FBI tips hotline at 800-225-5324

Their local FBI office

The nearest American Embassy or Consulate

Or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov

Investigators stress that tips can be submitted anonymously and that even seemingly insignificant details may prove crucial.

A case defined by urgency—and caution

As the days pass, time remains the most critical factor in Nancy Guthrie’s case. Investigators continue to balance urgency with caution, sifting through digital evidence, following financial trails, and verifying every communication that surfaces.

The arrest of Derrick Callella serves as a stark reminder that not every development brings answers—and that, in some cases, it reveals the darker side of public attention.

For the Guthrie family, the focus remains singular: bringing Nancy home.

For authorities, the mission continues—undistracted by impostors, undeterred by obstacles, and driven by the hope that the next lead will finally be the one that matters.