‘Allegedly sending texts’: Man arrested for trying to scam Bitcoin from Guthrie family

A man has been arrested for trying to scam Bitcoin from the Guthrie family, but police say the case apparently is unrelated to the missing person case now being considered a kidnapping.

It is TV star Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, 84, who has been missing since last weekend.

There have been ransom notes delivered to several news outlets, and authorities are investigating but have not said whether they are genuine.

One that is not involves a Los Angeles man, Derrick Callella, who was arrested by the FBI “for allegedly sending texts to the Guthrie family to ask for Bitcoin and see if they would respond.”

Authorities have named him in a criminal complaint after he allegedly tried to use a VOIP app.

BREAKING: A Los Angeles man named Derrick Callella has been arrested by the FBI for allegedly sending texts to the Guthrie family to ask for bitcoin and see if they would respond. His text messages are *not* believed to be connected to the ransom demand.

How they caught him &… pic.twitter.com/BrPjcgYHxt

— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) February 5, 2026

The charging document is U.S. v. Derrick Callella, 43, and it alleges on or about Feb. 4, 2026, he “with the intent to transmit a demand for ransom, did transmit in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any demand or request for ransom or reward for the release of any kidnapped person.”

He also is accused of making a telephone call “with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass any specific person…”