BREAKING: California man pleads guilty to ransom hoax in Nancy Guthrie abduction case
Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, California, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device.
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Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, California, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device.
A California man has pleaded guilty in federal court after admitting he repeatedly contacted the family of Savannah Guthrie while her disappearance was under investigation, according to federal prosecutors.
Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, California, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona announced. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10, 2026, before U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker.
As part of his guilty plea, Callella admitted that on Feb. 4, 2026, he called and sent text messages to members of Savannah Guthrie's family asking about a Bitcoin transfer. Prosecutors said he knew an earlier ransom demand had already been made in connection with the case.
Callella also acknowledged that his communications were intended to harass Guthrie's family while authorities were investigating her disappearance and to seek information about the ongoing investigation.
Federal prosecutors did not disclose additional details about the messages beyond the admissions contained in the plea agreement.
A conviction for Harassment Using a Telecommunication Device carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or both, and one year of supervised release.
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