California Man Arrested for Bitcoin Extortion Attempt Amid Nancy Guthrie Disappearance
TUCSON, Ariz. — Federal authorities arrested Derek Callella, a California resident, for allegedly sending fraudulent ransom demands to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing from her Tucson home under suspicious circumstances. The arrest comes as local law enforcement and federal agencies continue an exhaustive search for Nancy Guthrie, who is believed to have been forcibly abducted from her residence.
According to prosecutors, Callella sent anonymous texts to Annie Guthrie and her husband, Tommaso Cioni, demanding payment in bitcoin. One message reportedly read, “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction,” in an attempt to extort the family during an already harrowing ordeal. Authorities have charged Callella with crossing state lines to demand ransom and using telecommunications to harass and threaten the Guthrie family.
The case has drawn significant public attention, with the FBI and other federal agencies assisting the Tucson Police Department in the ongoing investigation. The FBI Phoenix Field Office has been actively involved, providing resources and expertise to support the search efforts.
Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance has been described by local officials as a likely abduction. The Pima County Sheriff’s Office has stated that “everybody’s still a suspect” as the investigation remains open and fluid. Law enforcement has canvassed the neighborhood and followed multiple leads, but no definitive suspects have been identified. The sheriff’s office has also offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Nancy Guthrie’s safe return.
Experts have noted the unusual nature of the case, as ransom demands are typically directed to law enforcement or family members through more direct channels. The digital ransom attempt involving cryptocurrency adds a complex layer to the investigation, highlighting the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with cyber-enabled crimes. The Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section has been monitoring the case, given the involvement of digital currency and interstate communications.
Savannah Guthrie, a prominent journalist and co-anchor of NBC’s “Today Show,” has publicly appealed for her mother’s safe return and urged anyone with information to come forward. The family has been cooperating closely with authorities and has expressed gratitude for the public’s support.
While the investigation continues, authorities caution the public against responding to ransom demands or engaging with potential scammers. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency advises that victims of extortion attempts avoid paying and report incidents to law enforcement immediately.
As the search for Nancy Guthrie presses on, the arrest of Derek Callella underscores the complexities of modern criminal investigations, where traditional crimes intersect with digital technology. Law enforcement remains committed to uncovering the truth behind Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance and bringing those responsible to justice.
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