Man Arrested for Fake Ransom Text Has Criminal History of Financial Crimes
The individual apprehended for transmitting a fraudulent ransom message to the daughter of missing woman Nancy Guthrie possesses a documented criminal record involving financial offenses, including theft and embezzlement. Derrick Callella was taken into custody on Thursday following allegations that he sent a hoax Bitcoin demand to Annie Guthrie, Nancy's daughter, and her husband Tommaso Cioni.
Previous Embezzlement Charges Revealed
Officials have confirmed that Callella was also implicated in a 2023 embezzlement conspiracy, where thirteen Los Angeles County employees are accused of illicitly obtaining over $430,000 in unemployment benefits from the county. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office verified to media outlets that Callella is the same individual arrested in connection with the deceptive text messages.
Callella, who worked as an intermediate clerk for the county's department of health services, is alleged to have personally received $9,984 in benefits between May 2020 and January 2022. The scheme reportedly involved defendants submitting fabricated unemployment insurance claims that misrepresented their earnings during specific two-week periods, rendering them ineligible for such benefits.
Details of the Fake Ransom Incident
The criminal complaint states that on February 4, Callella texted Annie Guthrie and Tommaso Cioni with the message: 'Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction'. Merely three minutes later, he placed a phone call to one of Nancy Guthrie's family members, which lasted only nine seconds. This contact occurred shortly after Savannah Guthrie, Annie, and their brother Camron posted a video on Instagram pleading for their mother's safe return.
Callella allegedly confessed to sending the messages, telling investigators he was 'just trying to see if the family would respond'. He now faces additional charges, including transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device to abuse, threaten, or harass someone without disclosing his identity.
Ongoing Investigation into Nancy Guthrie's Disappearance
FBI Special Agent Heith Janke announced Callella's arrest during a press briefing on Thursday, emphasizing that authorities do not believe his alleged demand is connected to genuine ransom letters associated with Nancy Guthrie's suspected kidnapping. At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes, which have been handed over to investigators.
Janke noted that one of the reported ransom notes sets a deadline for 5 p.m. on the day of the briefing, with a second deadline the following Monday. He stated, 'We are continuing in a normal kidnapping case; there would be contact by now, trying to discuss that. But those are the time frames we're looking at as we move forward.'
Investigators are treating the ransom note seriously, as it includes a monetary demand with deadlines and specific details, such as references to a flood light at the home and an Apple watch. A note emailed to a Tucson newsroom contained what anchor Mary Coleman described as 'red flags' suggesting it might be authentic, including information presumably known only to the abductor.
Search for Nancy Guthrie Continues
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home near Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday night and reported missing the following afternoon. Authorities believe she was taken against her will and have confirmed that blood found outside her front door matches her DNA. She is described as frail with poor mobility and requires daily medication for a medical condition.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated on Thursday, 'Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,' though he acknowledged there is no proof she is alive. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her capture. A note sent to another media outlet demanded millions in Bitcoin for her release, but its authenticity remains unclear.
In a heartfelt video message, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings expressed readiness to communicate with their mother's captors but requested proof of life. FBI Agent Janke echoed this, addressing the abductors directly: 'This is an 84‑year‑old grandma that needs vital medication for her well‑being. You still have the time to do the right thing before this becomes a worse, much worse scenario for you. Please return Nancy home.'
Callella was arraigned on a felony count of grand theft and a misdemeanor in November and is scheduled to return to court in Los Angeles on March 31. Another eleven former employees were charged in the embezzlement scheme in December, highlighting the broader context of his financial crimes.
