Hawthorne Man Charged with Sending Bogus Ransom to Guthries Appears in Court

Derrick Callella accused of sending text messages to 'Today' show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie's family demanding bitcoin ransom for missing mother Nancy Guthrie

Feb. 6, 2026 at 7:47pm

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A 42-year-old Hawthorne man named Derrick Callella has been charged with federal crimes for allegedly sending a bogus ransom demand to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of 'Today' show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Callella made his initial court appearance in Santa Ana on Friday and was ordered released on $20,000 bond.

Why it matters

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman from Tucson, Arizona, has garnered national attention as the mother of a prominent TV news personality. Callella's alleged actions of sending a fake ransom demand have added to the family's distress during this difficult time and raised concerns about potential exploitation of high-profile missing persons cases.

The details

According to the criminal complaint, Callella is accused of sending text messages on Wednesday to Guthrie's daughter and son-in-law that demanded a bitcoin ransom payment. Guthrie's family had previously released a video asking the kidnapper to contact them. Authorities were able to trace the text messages to Callella's home, and he allegedly admitted to sending them. Callella was arrested on Thursday and charged with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and utilizing a telecommunications device to abuse, threaten, or harass.

  • On January 31, Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her home in Tucson, Arizona.
  • On February 1, Guthrie's family released a video asking the kidnapper to contact them.
  • On February 3, Callella allegedly sent the ransom text messages to Guthrie's family.
  • On February 4, Callella was arrested and charged with federal crimes.
  • On February 6, Callella made his initial court appearance in Santa Ana and was released on $20,000 bond.

The players

Derrick Callella

A 42-year-old Hawthorne man who has been charged with federal crimes for allegedly sending a bogus ransom demand to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of 'Today' show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Nancy Guthrie

An 84-year-old woman from Tucson, Arizona who went missing on January 31 and is the mother of 'Today' show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

Savannah Guthrie

The co-anchor of the 'Today' show and the daughter of the missing Nancy Guthrie.

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What they’re saying

“The Department of Justice will protect victims and families at all costs, and grief profiteers will be held accountable.”

— Timothy Courchaine, U.S. Attorney in Arizona

What’s next

Callella is scheduled to be arraigned on February 12 in federal court in Tucson. The judge in the case will also decide whether to allow Callella to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the vulnerability of high-profile missing persons cases to exploitation by individuals seeking to profit from the family's grief. It underscores the importance of law enforcement and the justice system working swiftly to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.