A man from Los Angeles County has been arrested for allegedly sending ransom messages to the family of Savannah Guthrie, co-host of NBC’s “Today,” amid the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, from her home in Arizona. Nancy, 84, is feared to be a victim of abduction, prompting significant concern and media attention.
Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix division, addressed the situation at a recent news conference, condemning those who exploit such tragic circumstances for personal gain. “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,” Janke stated.
The arrest followed a thorough investigation that tied Derrick Callella, a 42-year-old resident of Hawthorne, California, to unsolicited ransom messages sent to members of the Guthrie family. Before the arrest, authorities noted that Callella sent a message asking if they had received the Bitcoin payment he purportedly requested, which was part of the ransom demand.
Investigators tracked Callella through a voice-over-internet protocol application he used to send his messages. This application allowed him to disguise his calls and texts, but eventually, authorities matched the phone number used in the messages to his email address, leading investigators to his residence. The federal criminal complaint reveals that Callella reached out to the family multiple times and later admitted to sending the messages in question.
Timothy Courchaine, the U.S. Attorney for Arizona, emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting victims and their families, stating, “The Department of Justice will protect victims and families at all costs, and grief profiteers will be held accountable.” He added that the collaboration among the FBI, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office enabled swift action, resulting in Callella’s arrest within 24 hours of the investigation’s initiation.
Callella is now facing charges for allegedly transmitting a ransom demand across state lines and for utilizing a telecommunications device with the intent to harass or threaten individuals. He was taken into custody in L.A. County and is scheduled to appear before a federal magistrate judge shortly.
Additionally, federal officials confirmed that Callella had previously been charged with unemployment fraud in connection with a case involving multiple individuals who allegedly filed for benefits while being employed. He was in state court for a preliminary hearing related to that case just prior to the alleged ransom messages being sent to the Guthries.
At this moment, Callella’s legal representation has not provided comments regarding the federal charges, nor have they been contacted by authorities about the case. The investigation continues as officials seek to ensure justice for the Guthrie family amidst this distressing situation.
