FBI arrests suspect for ransom demands related to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance.

The FBI has announced the arrest of a California man, Derrick Callella, in connection with a fake ransom demand related to the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of television personality Savannah Guthrie. Callella, 42, was apprehended on Thursday in Hawthorne, California, and now faces charges of transmitting a demand for ransom in relation to a kidnapping and making anonymous interstate communications intended to harass or threaten, as detailed in a criminal complaint submitted in Arizona.

According to law enforcement officials, Callella followed the Guthrie case closely, posing as an imposter seeking to exploit the situation for personal gain. However, he is not believed to be connected to any of the genuine ransom notes that have been circulated, which demanded significant sums in cryptocurrency. Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix division, clarified that the investigation did not link his actions to the actual case of Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping, asserting that Callella’s behavior was purely opportunistic.

The timeline of events reveals that on Wednesday, shortly after Savannah Guthrie and her siblings made a public plea for their mother’s safe return through an emotional video, the family received two text messages. These messages referenced a bitcoin transaction, claiming, “Did you get the bitcoin? We are waiting on our end for the transaction.” Authorities traced the origin of these messages to Callella, identifying that he utilized an internet application to send the texts using a different number than his own cellphone. This number had been linked to an IP address located at Callella’s home.

Upon his arrest, Callella confessed to sending the messages, claiming he had extracted information about the family from an online database simply to gauge the family’s response. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine emphasized a commitment to protecting victims and their families, stating that those who profit from others’ misfortunes will be held accountable.

While the investigation continues into the authentic ransom notes that were submitted earlier in the week, authorities have not yet confirmed their legitimacy. The contents of these notes are being taken seriously, as they include specific details known only to someone intimately involved in the case. An initial note conveyed a demand for a sum of money with a deadline that has since passed, along with indications of potentially more severe consequences should the requirements not be fulfilled.

The search for Nancy Guthrie, who is 84 years old, is currently in its fifth day. She was reported missing shortly before noon on Sunday, with police suspecting that she was taken unwillingly from her Tucson home early that morning. A reward of ,000 has been offered for information that could lead to her safe return or the arrest and conviction of her abductor. As of now, law enforcement has not publicly identified any key suspects or persons of interest in the case.

The investigation continues as authorities strive to locate Nancy Guthrie and understand the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, with the community holding out hope for her safe return.

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