The FBI has released new details on the man arrested for issuing a fake ransom note in connection with the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.
“Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, CA, is alleged to have sent ransom demands via two text messages to a missing person’s family on Feb. 4, 2026. He also allegedly made a 9-second phone call to a family member,” the FBI’s Phoenix Division revealed on Friday, February 13.
“The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to hold any individual accountable who seeks to interfere with federal investigations or attempts to profit from a grieving family,” they added.
California Man Arrested in Nancy Guthrie Case
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed on Friday that a California man, Derrick Callella, was charged with transmitting a demand for ransom interstate commerce, and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten or harass a person.
Callella made an appearance in court on Friday, U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine announced.
Callella sent two text messages to Guthrie’s family on February 4, three days after the 84-year-old was reported missing, demanding money in exchange for Guthrie, the criminal complaint alleged.
“Through the course of the investigation, it was found that Callella was acting as an imposter, trying to take advantage of the ongoing situation,” the FBI, who also alleged the suspect made a 9-second phone call to a family member, announced on Friday.
Pima County Sheriff Reveals an Arrest Was Made
During a Thursday, February 5, press conference, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos revealed that a man had been arrested for sending an “imposter ransom demand.”
While it remains unclear how investigators determined the demand was made by an “imposter,” the FBI made it clear that it will apprehend any other “impostors” trying to profit from the Guthrie case.
Despite the imposter’s arrest, multiple other ransom notes were sent to news outlets over the last two weeks. TMZ was the first to report received an “unverified ransom note” on Tuesday, February 3.
It was later revealed that the letter received by the outlet contained two deadlines, both of which have since passed.
Guthrie’s whereabouts remain unknown as the search nears two weeks. She was last seen Saturday, January 31, by her daughter Annie, who dropped her off at home following a family dinner.
The following day, after friends noticed her absence from her regular church service, her family called 911 to report Guthrie missing.
