A man from California is potentially facing a two-year prison sentence after admitting to sending ransom notes to Nancy Guthrie’s family.
Derrick Callella, aged 42, confessed to two charges of harassment through telecommunications devices on Thursday, July 2, and may face fines of up to $250,000.
However, according to a representative from the US Attorney’s Office, Callella may instead receive a five-year probation term under a plea agreement.
The formal sentencing is scheduled for September 10.
Callella acknowledged making phone calls and sending text messages to Nancy’s family on February 4, asking about a Bitcoin transaction.
According to a press release, the suspect also “admitted that his actions were meant to harass the family by seeking information about the investigation into the missing person’s disappearance.”
Callella was able to get the phone numbers of Nancy’s daughter, Annie Guthrie, and her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, and sent a message stating: “Did you get the bitcoin were waiting on our end for the transaction.”
Authorities were able to track Callella through an email address linked to the phone number sending the messages.
He was detained on February 5, four days after Nancy’s disappearance was reported.
Savannah Guthrie’s mother is suspected to have been abducted from her residence in Tucson, Arizona, earlier this year, with no subsequent contact.
Police released doorbell footage from Nancy’s home, suspecting involvement of a man described as 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall, with an average build, based on the footage.
The FBI recently dismissed numerous ransom notes as fraudulent but stated on Wednesday, July 1, that they continue to examine others that may be genuine.
“This case continues to be investigated as a kidnapping for ransom case,” stated the FBI.
Nancy Guthrie was last seen taking an Uber to her daughter Annie Guthrie’s house for dinner around 5:32 pm.
Later, her family dropped her back home.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos indicated her garage door opened around 9:48 pm and shut at 9:50 pm.
“It is that time we assume that Nancy’s home and probably going to bed,” he added.
Nancy’s doorbell camera disconnected at 1:47 am, with motion detected roughly 25 minutes later.
At 2:28 am, the 84-year-old’s pacemaker app disconnected from her cell phone.
After Nancy’s absence from church was noted by a friend, her family checked her home at 11:56 am, discovering she was missing.
They called 911 at 12:03 pm, with police arriving by 12:15 pm.
Sheriff Nanos told CBS News he believed Guthrie was ‘abducted’ in the middle of the night.
“She didn’t walk from there. She didn’t go willingly,” he added.
Several media outlets reported receiving ‘ransom notes’ which allegedly demanded a large sum of Bitcoin to be sent for Nancy’s release.
Nanos said they were looking into the ‘possible ransom note(s)’ and confirmed the blood found on the porch of Nancy’s property was also hers.
Savannah Guthrie and her siblings, Annie and Camron, shared an emotional video on Instagram, pleading for their mother’s return.
“We are ready to talk,” Savannah said. “However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated. We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive, and that you have her.”
The FBI announced a $50,000 reward ‘for information leading to the recovery’ of Nancy.
Camron Guthrie posted another video, saying: “Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you.”
Authorities said they were ‘aware of a new message’ which was sent to CBS News’ Tucson affiliate KOLD.
The sheriff’s department said investigators were ‘conducting follow-up’ at Nancy’s home and ‘surrounding areas’.
Nancy’s children posted a video to social media in which Savannah appeared to address the alleged abductor.
“We received your message, and we understand. We beg you now to return our mother to us so that we can celebrate with her,” she said, before adding: “This is very valuable to us, and we will pay.”
Authorities were seen leaving Annie’s home with a bag after 10:30 pm. As per PEOPLE, one official was reportedly seen wearing blue gloves.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, they show ‘an armed individual appearing to have tampered with the camera at Nancy Guthrie’s front door the morning of her disappearance’.
Sharing the images on Instagram, Savannah wrote: “We believe she is still alive. Bring her home.”
Authorities announced that they had detained a man for questioning ‘during a traffic stop’; however, he was released the following day.
The FBI said: “The suspect is described as a male, approximately 5’9” – 5’10” tall, with an average build. In the video, he is wearing a black, 25-liter ‘Ozark Trail Hiker Pack’ backpack.”
It also increased the reward to $100,000.
A glove discovered near Nancy’s property appeared to match those worn by the suspect seen on the doorbell camera, the FBI said. It was one of ‘approximately’ 16 collected by authorities.
However, later tests found that it did not have any matches in the national DNA database.
“To be clear … the Guthrie family – to include all siblings and spouses – has been cleared as possible suspects in this case,” Nanos said. “The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case.”
In addition to the FBI’s reward, the family announced a personal reward of up to $1 million.
“Somebody knows. We are begging you to please come forward now,” Savannah said.
