A California man has admitted sending a fraudulent ransom message in the case of missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie. The plea comes as the FBI continues to assess multiple notes received during the investigation.
Derrick Callella pleaded guilty on July 2 to two counts of harassment after texting a fake ransom demand to the family of Nancy Guthrie. Prosecutors said the message referenced Bitcoin payments and was part of an extortion attempt.
The FBI stated Wednesday that some ransom notes in the case are extortion attempts without legitimacy, while others may be genuine and remain under investigation. The agency is assisting the Pima County Sheriff's Department on the kidnapping of the 84-year-old Tucson resident, reported missing in early February.
Two early notes included specific details about Guthrie's home and demanded millions in Bitcoin. Her daughter, Savannah Guthrie, has said she believes those messages were real. The family and the FBI are offering rewards totaling $1.1 million for information leading to her whereabouts.
