A shocking twist has emerged in the mysterious disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, as a man has now been arrested for trying to extort money from her family. The case, which has captured national attention, took another turn with the involvement of the FBI and cybercrime details.
Man Arrested in Connection with Text Demanding Ransom
On Thursday, February 5, TMZ reported that the FBI had arrested a man named Derrick Callella from Los Angeles. He’s accused of contacting Nancy Guthrie’s daughter, Annie Guthrie, and Annie’s husband, Tommaso Cioni, with a text message demanding bitcoin.
According to court documents seen by TMZ, the message read:
“Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.”
While this might sound like a ransom demand, the FBI clarified that Callella’s texts are not connected to the ransom email previously sent to several media outlets, including TMZ, which demanded millions in cryptocurrency. That email is still being investigated separately.
How the FBI Tracked Derrick Callella
The FBI revealed that Callella used a virtual phone number to send the threatening texts. Investigators linked the number to an email account with Callella’s full name. Even more damning was that the IP address used to set up that account was traced back to his home in California.
According to reports, Callella later admitted that he sent two messages to the Guthrie family. He claimed to have found their contact details on a cyber website.
Charges Filed Against Callella
Derrick Callella now faces serious legal trouble. He has been charged with:
- One count of intent to transmit a ransom demand
- One count of making a phone call without revealing identity with the aim to abuse, threaten, or harass a specific person
These charges could lead to severe penalties if he is convicted.
Nancy Guthrie Still Missing; No One Ruled Out Yet
Nancy Guthrie has been missing since Sunday, February 1, and as of now, authorities have not identified any suspects in her disappearance.
In a press conference held in Pima County, Arizona, Sheriff Chris Nanos provided an update. He stated that although many people have been interviewed, no one has been officially cleared yet.
“I wouldn’t say anybody’s ruled out yet,” said Sheriff Nanos. “What if I rule you out and later I learn something else?”
This means that everyone Nancy interacted with before she vanished is still under investigation. The sheriff also made it clear that the investigation is active and ongoing.
