Federal agents reportedly arrested a man who allegedly texted Nancy Guthrie’s family demanding payment by Bitcoin, but authorities said he was not connected to the ransom demand.
This is the first arrest in the Guthrie case, but the suspect is not one of her captors, according to TMZ. A Los Angeles man named Derrick Callella allegedly texted Nancy’s daughter Annie and Nancy’s son-in-law Tommaso Cioni Wednesday, TMZ reported, citing legal documents.
The message reportedly read, “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.”
TMZ received what appeared to be a ransom note Tuesday demanding millions of dollars in Bitcoin in exchange for Nancy’s safe return.
In legal documents reviewed by TMZ, federal agents alleged that Callella used a virtual phone number to send the text messages to the Guthrie family. The number was registered to an email address bearing his name, and it was accessed from an IP address linked to his California residence.
The FBI claimed Callella admitted to sending two texts and obtaining information about the family from a cyber website and through coverage of Nancy’s abduction in the media, according to TMZ.
They claimed Callella told them he sent the messages to see if the Guthrie family would respond. Authorities alleged that date records showed he called a Guthrie family member three minutes after sending the texts, and the call was connected for nine seconds, according to TMZ.
Federal agents charged Callella with two federal crimes. He faces one count of intent to transmit a demand for ransom and one count of making a phone call without disclosing identity to abuse, threaten or harass any specific person, TMZ reported.
Statement from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department: pic.twitter.com/fHMq1Jx9Tw
— Pima County Sheriff’s Department (@PimaSheriff) February 5, 2026
The texts were allegedly sent Wednesday, soon after Savannah Guthrie and her siblings shared an Instagram video requesting that their mother’s captors send proof of life. The Guthries said they are willing to talk and prayed for their mother’s safe return.
Sheriff Nanos will hold a media briefing today at approximately 11:30 a.m. Arizona time (MST)
(1:30 p.m. Eastern Time).
Location: PCSD Headquarters
1750 E. Benson Highway | Tucson, AZ #NancyGuthrie pic.twitter.com/fqBwEgHyHw— Pima County Sheriff’s Department (@PimaSheriff) February 3, 2026
Authorities say Nancy was taken from her home Sunday, and she needs daily medication for her survival. (RELATED: Elizabeth Smart’s Father Addresses Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance)
The investigation into her disappearance continues. No suspect information has been released as of publication.