A California man has been charged by federal prosecutors for the apparent sending of “imposter” ransom messages to the relatives of Nancy Guthrie—an 84-year-old woman and the mother of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie—as the search continues for the missing Arizona woman.
Nancy Guthrie was reported missing from her home in Pima County, Arizona, after being seen on January 31. The case gained national attention after the Guthrie family released media appeals for direct contact and proof of life, as law enforcement investigated communications related to the ransom demand being distributed in the media.
The FBI arrested Derrick Callella, 42, on Thursday in Hawthorne, California, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona. Callella is charged by criminal complaint with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and, without disclosing his identity, using a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person, the release said.
“The Department of Justice will safeguard victims and families at all costs, and the grief profiteers will be brought to justice,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine announced. “This case came together in under 24 hours as a result of the collaborative efforts of the FBI, local law enforcement agencies, and our U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Central District of California.”
FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke also noted in the same announcement that imposter individuals who wished to capitalize on the situation would be investigated and would be held accountable.
Authorities stated that Derrick Callella is not suspected of kidnapping Nancy Guthrie. The charges described in the federal filing are related to communications that are described as an “imposter” ransom demand, which are distinct from the overall investigation into her disappearance.
Callella is also listed in a separate criminal case from California. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that 13 county employees were charged for allegedly defrauding unemployment benefits, with Derrick Anthony Callella listed as one of the defendants, in October 2025.
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