An arrest has been made in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, but authorities say it is not the breakthrough many were hoping for. Federal officials confirmed that the suspect is not believed to be connected to her disappearance.
Investigators say the arrest involves an alleged hoax rather than the abduction of the 84-year-old woman. The suspect is accused of sending fraudulent messages referencing bitcoin payments to Guthrie’s family.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona identified the suspect as Derrick Callella, a Southern California man arrested on February 5 in Hawthorne, near Los Angeles International Airport.
Prosecutors say Callella is facing two federal charges: transmitting a ransom demand related to a kidnapping and placing a phone call without identifying himself with the intent to threaten or harass.
According to court documents, Callella allegedly sent a text message to Guthrie’s daughter, Annie, and her husband that read, “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.”
Authorities stress that the message is believed to be a hoax and not connected to Nancy Guthrie’s suspected abduction. Callella is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
In the federal complaint, FBI Special Agent Kerry Witherspoon said the messages were sent on February 4, shortly after the family released a public video pleading for Nancy’s safe return.
Investigators allege Callella admitted to sending the messages using a VOIP application to see if the family would respond. Data shows he placed a follow-up call minutes later that lasted just nine seconds.
