A California man accused of sending a fake ransom message to the family of Nancy Guthrie was released from federal custody in Tucson on Thursday. Derrick Callella, 42, is charged with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass.
Callella did not respond to questions from 13 News reporter Katherine Patterson as he exited the federal courthouse in Tucson following his Feb. 12 appearance.
The FBI said Callella, who is from Hawthorne, California, texted two of Guthrie’s family members on Feb. 4 and also placed a nine-second phone call to one of them.
Investigators report that Callella sent the messages to Guthrie’s oldest daughter, Annie, and her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni.
Court records state that Callella used a VOIP, or internet-based, phone line to send the message, “Did you get the bitcoin (we’re) waiting on our end for the transaction.”
Authorities said the text messages were sent moments after the Guthrie family released their first public video message to the alleged kidnappers, requesting proof of life.
Law enforcement traced the phone line to Callella’s registered Gmail account, concluding that the call originated from his home.
The messages associated with Callella, according to officials, have no connection to the initial ransom demand that various media outlets, including KOLD 13 News, have reported.
Callella was released under several conditions, including that he refrain from contacting any victims or witnesses and that authorities monitor all of his electronic devices.
He previously appeared in federal court in California on Feb. 6 after his arrest and was held at the time on a $20,000 bond.
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported last week that the texts were allegedly sent by Derrick Callella and were intended to see whether the family “would respond,” Mediaite reported.
Melugin emphasized that the messages are not believed to be connected to the primary ransom demand tied to Guthrie’s disappearance.
In a post on X, Melugin said federal investigators determined Callella used a VOIP application to send the messages, but were able to identify him through an emergency disclosure
