A man from California, Derrick Callella, aged 42 and residing in Hawthorne, has admitted guilt in the harassment case involving the family of Nancy Guthrie. Callella pleaded guilty to two counts of using a telecommunications device for harassment, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This conviction is the only one associated with the case of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, who disappeared from her home near Tucson, Arizona, five months ago.
In his plea, Callella confessed to contacting Guthrie’s family members on February 4, asking about a transfer involving bitcoin. The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted, “He acknowledged that he knew an earlier ransom demand had been made.” Callella also disclosed that his actions aimed to trouble the family while seeking information on the investigation of the disappearance.
Authorities arrested Callella on February 5. The criminal complaint details that, after his arrest and receiving Miranda warnings, Callella confessed to sending text messages to Guthrie’s daughter and son-in-law on February 4. He admitted to following the case on television.
The complaint reveals the messages were sent soon after the family released a video pleading for contact with Guthrie’s abductors. On February 2, local news reported a supposed ransom demand for bitcoin payment. Additionally, Callella made a brief nine-second call to a family member.
The charges Callella faces could result in a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, the plea deal agreed upon requires him to serve five years of probation, according to ABC7. His sentencing is scheduled for September 10.
More information will be provided as the story develops.