Home / Crime and Justice / Fake Ransom Note Sent Amid Kidnapping Search
Fake Ransom Note Sent Amid Kidnapping Search
3 Jul
Summary
- Man pleaded guilty to sending fake ransom note to family.
- The note was sent during the search for missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
- The accused faces up to two years imprisonment for his actions.
Derrick Callella, a 42-year-old resident of Hawthorne, California, admitted guilt on Thursday for dispatching a fictitious ransom note to the relatives of Nancy Guthrie. This occurred while a fervent search was underway for the 84-year-old woman, who was abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, residence on January 31, 2026. Callella confessed to contacting the family via phone and text messages on February 4, 2026, demanding a bitcoin transfer. He also acknowledged his intent to harass the family and inquire about the investigation. Authorities successfully linked the phone number used to Callella's email and residence. The FBI continues to investigate the kidnapping for ransom, noting that while some demands were fake, others may be legitimate. Callella's sentencing is slated for September 10, 2026, with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.
