Derrick Callella Pleads Guilty in Nancy Guthrie Fake Ransom Note Case, Faces 2 Years
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 2
Derrick Callella Pleads Guilty in Nancy Guthrie Fake Ransom Note Case, Faces 2 Years
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 2
Summary
Derrick Callella, 42, admitted sending Nancy Guthrie’s family a fake ransom text after their public plea, exposing him to up to two years in prison or a $250,000 fine.
Federal authorities said the Hawthorne, California, man had followed coverage of Guthrie’s disappearance on TV and sent texts to her daughter and son-in-law seeking information about the investigation.
Investigators linked the messages to an email address in Callella’s name registered to the phone number used in the texts; he is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10.
Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her Tucson-area home on Jan. 31, leaving behind her cellphone, medication and other essentials, while blood drops were found near the porch.
The FBI said Callella’s texts were separate from a bitcoin ransom demand received by Tucson station KOLD and is still investigating other extortion notes that may be legitimate.