A California man has pleaded guilty to sending a fake ransom demand to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of TODAY show co-host Savannah Guthrie, during the ongoing investigation into her abduction.

Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, California, entered a guilty plea to two counts of harassment using a telecommunication device, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona on July 2, 2026.

Authorities say Callella admitted to calling and texting Guthrie’s family on February 4, demanding a Bitcoin transfer. He acknowledged knowing that an earlier ransom demand had already been made and intentionally acted to harass the family while seeking details about the investigation into Nancy’s disappearance.

Callella faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both, in addition to one year of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for September 10.

Background on the Nancy Guthrie Case

Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home in Tucson, Arizona, in the early morning hours of February 1, 2026. She remains missing, and no official suspects have been named in her disappearance.

The FBI has confirmed multiple ransom notes related to the case. While some have been identified as extortion attempts without legitimacy — including the one linked to Callella — others are still under active investigation as potentially genuine.

The case continues to be treated as a kidnapping for ransom. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Office are urging anyone with information to contact authorities.