California man accused of texting Nancy Guthrie's family members about ransom demand

TUCSON, AZ — A man has been arrested and accused of sending a ransom demand to the Guthrie family as the search for Nancy Guthrie continues.

On Thursday, officials held a news conference that mentioned the arrest of Derrick Callella, along with a $50,000 reward for help finding Nancy Guthrie.

According to court documents, Callella of Hawthorne, California, faces charges of sending a ransom demand and harassment.

Callella is accused of sending a text message to one of Nancy Guthrie's children, saying, "Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction."

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The family received those texts while in Arizona.

Law enforcement determined the number was associated with a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) text and call application that allows users to obtain another phone number for their mobile device, separate from their carrier phone number.

After police obtained records on the phone number, they learned it was associated with an email belonging to Callella.

TIMELINE: What we know about the events surrounding Nancy Guthrie's disappearance

Court records show Callella admitted to sending two texts to the family. He also reportedly called one of Nancy Guthrie's family members.

The text messages have not been connected to the ransom demands sent to multiple media outlets, including our Scripps News Group station in Tucson.

The FBI says during its investigation, it learned Callella was acting as an imposter and trying to take advantage of the situation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI warn others that they will seek to prosecute any individuals who interfere with the federal investigation or profit from the victim's family's grief.