A man from California, Derrick Callella, has admitted guilt to harassing the family of Nancy Guthrie by making fake ransom demands. Callella, aged 42 and a resident of Hawthorne, pleaded guilty on Thursday to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This is the only criminal conviction related to the case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Savannah Guthrie, a host on the Today show. Nancy Guthrie went missing from her home near Tucson, Arizona, five months ago.
Callella confessed that on February 4, he contacted Guthrie’s family through calls and text messages, asking about a bitcoin transfer. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated, “He acknowledged that he knew an earlier ransom demand had been made.” Callella admitted his intention was to harass the family by inquiring about the investigation of the missing person’s case.
He was arrested on February 5. The criminal complaint indicated that after receiving Miranda warnings, Callella admitted to sending text messages to Guthrie’s daughter and son-in-law after following news coverage of the case. The messages were sent soon after Guthrie’s family released a video pleading with her abductors to contact them, which had followed reports on February 2 about a ransom note demanding payment in bitcoin.
According to the complaint, Callella made a brief nine-second call to a family member. The charges he faces carry a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of $250,000. However, his plea agreement includes five years of probation. His sentencing is scheduled for September 10, according to ABC7.
This situation is unfolding, and more updates will be provided as the story develops.