In a concerning development, a man from California has been taken into custody for sending fraudulent ransom messages to the family of Savannah Guthrie during the search for their missing mother, Nancy Guthrie.

The suspect, Derrick Callella, aged 42, was apprehended by the FBI on February 5. This arrest followed the tracing of text messages and a phone call he allegedly made to the Guthrie family earlier in the week, as outlined in a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine commented on the case, stating, “The Department of Justice is committed to safeguarding victims and their families. Those who exploit others’ grief will face consequences.” He further highlighted the swift collaboration between the FBI, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, which brought the case together in less than 24 hours.

Derrick Callella Accused of Making Phony Texts, Call to Guthrie Family

Derrick is alleged to have sent a text message to Savannah’s sister, Annie, and her husband. The message came after the family had posted a plea on Savannah’s Instagram on February 4, urging any potential captors of their mother to contact them with proof of life.

Investigators suspect that Nancy was forcibly taken from her Tucson, Arizona home between late January 31 and the early hours of February 1, after blood belonging to the 84-year-old was discovered on her porch.

Shortly after the family’s urgent appeal for Nancy’s return, authorities claim Derrick texted Annie and her husband with a message that read, “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction,” as detailed in a criminal complaint.

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.