Derrick Callella sentenced for harassing Nancy Guthrie's family

Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, California, has been sentenced to two concurrent five-year probation terms for harassing the family of missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie. Callella pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunication device after sending fake ransom-related messages to the family in February.

Prosecutors stated that Callella’s actions were intended to harass the family and seek information regarding the ongoing missing-person investigation rather than assist in locating Guthrie. He was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and must report to a probation office within 72 hours. While Callella was not charged in connection with the disappearance itself, his communications involved inquiries about Bitcoin transfers.

Nancy Guthrie, the mother of ‘Today’ anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona, home on February 1. Investigators believe she was taken against her will, noting that her security camera had been disabled. FBI Phoenix previously described a suspect seen on footage wearing a ski mask and backpack.