Derrick Callella Arrested for Allegedly Texting Annie Guthrie & Tommaso Cioni
Derrick Callella, a Los Angeles area man, was arrested in connection with the Nancy Guthrie case for allegedly texting the Guthrie family about Bitcoin.
On Thursday, February 5, 2026, the FBI arrested Derrick Callella in Hawthorne, California, a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice says. "Callella has been charged via a criminal complaint filed in federal court for transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce, and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person."
The charges relate to two text messages allegedly sent to Nancy's daughter, Annie Guthrie, and Annie's husband, Tommaso Cioni, according to TMZ. The pair is referred to by their initials in the complaint. According to TMZ, the text messages Callella allegedly sent Nancy's family "have NOT been linked to the ransom demand" that was made in notes sent to media outlets. In other words, there is no indication from authorities that Callella had anything to do with Nancy's disappearance.
Both Annie Guthrie & Tommaso Cioni Received the Text Messages, the Complaint Against Derrick Callella Says
On February 4, shortly after a video was published showing Nancy Guthrie's three kids pleading with the kidnapper or kidnappers to make contact with them, Annie Guthrie and Tommaso Cioni both separately received a text message, according to the complaint against Callella.
The texts said, “Did you get the bitcoin were (sic) waiting on our end for the transaction," according to the complaint.
Law enforcement determined through open-source messages that the number was associated "with a voice over internet protocol text and application that allows users to obtain another phone number for their mobile device separate from the number assigned to them from the carrier," the complaint says. "Law enforcement sought the records and discovered the email address it was associated with. They then traced the address to Callella’s residence in California."
Callella “admitted to sending the two text messages,” the complaint says. “He admitted to using the VOIP account from which two actual text messages came from. Callella stated that he pulled family information from a cyber website, and that he had been following along and watching TV. When he said that he sent text messages, he was trying to see if the family would respond.”
Three minutes after the text messages, Callella is accused of calling a family member; the call lasted nine seconds.
Federal Authorities Warned 'Imposters' That They Will Be 'Held Accountable'
Federal authorities issued a stern warning about "imposters" in the missing person's case.
“The Department of Justice will protect victims and families at all costs, and grief profiteers will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine, in a news release. “This case came together in under 24 hours because of the coordinated work of the FBI, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.”
“To those imposters who are trying to take advantage and profit from this situation – we will investigate and ensure you are held accountable for your actions,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke.
(Photo by: Nathan Congleton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
The criminal complaint against Callella gives a few details about Guthrie's mysterious disappearance. The 84-year-old mother of Today Show host Savannah Guthrie vanished from her home in Tucson on January 31. The FBI has joined the investigation. There are no identified suspects, authorities confirmed in a February 5 news conference. The motive is not clear.
The complaint against Callella reveals that Nancy left behind her "wallet, car, cellphone, hearing aid, and medication.” Nancy Guthrie’s blood “was found on the outside of her residence near the porch.” On February 2, KOLD, a CBS affiliate in Tucson, “received a ransom demand via their online tip portal. The demand listed a Bitcoin wallet address to receive the ransom payment," the complaint notes. On February 4, Guthrie’s children published the a video asking Guthrie’s kidnappers to contact them about their mother. Two other news outlets also received similar ransom notes, which authorities said they are taking seriously but are working to authenticate.
In the video, Annie, Savannah, and Camron Guthrie pleaded with the kidnapper or kidnappers to provide "proof of life."