California Man Taken In by the FBI in Connection with Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance — Latest Updates

Authorities arrested a man after disturbing messages sent during the search for Nancy Guthrie drew federal scrutiny, but investigators quickly made clear the case was more complicated than the arrest alone.

As concern intensified over the disappearance of “Today” co-host Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, federal authorities announced an arrest that immediately sparked headlines and renewed public attention.

However, as more details emerged through court filings and official statements, it became evident that this development was not directly tied to Nancy’s disappearance itself, but rather to troubling communications that surfaced during the investigation.

Federal officials said on Thursday, February 5, 2026, that a California man was taken into custody after allegedly contacting Guthrie’s family at the height of the public search, according to the Department of Justice.

Investigators stated that the communications involved alarming messages sent across state lines, prompting rapid coordination between the FBI and local law enforcement agencies.

Authorities emphasized that these text messages were not connected to the reported ransom demand, and investigators do not believe the suspect was responsible for Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, according to TMZ.

Prosecutors said the man was charged through a federal criminal complaint with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and using a telecommunications device to threaten or harass without revealing his identity.

Federal officials noted that a criminal complaint is only an allegation and does not imply guilt, stressing that the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in court.

Investigators identified the suspect as Derrick Callella, and authorities said he admitted sending the messages after following media coverage of the case and locating family information online.

Court records also revealed that Callella was already facing legal scrutiny in an unrelated matter involving alleged unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public records show Callella was among 13 Los Angeles County employees charged with felony grand theft in a case alleging the group collectively stole more than $437,000 in unemployment benefits between 2020 and 2023.

While attention briefly shifted toward Callella’s legal history, investigators in Arizona continued working to separate confirmed evidence from speculation in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department also addressed questions about why no usable footage exists from Nancy’s doorbell camera, explaining that the system disconnected and lacked a subscription, meaning recordings were overwritten in a continuous loop.

As the investigation continues, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released an emotional plea on Instagram, describing their mother as vulnerable, in poor health, and in need of medication, while urging anyone with verified information to come forward.

Officials have acknowledged awareness of reports involving possible ransom communications, but law enforcement has repeatedly stressed that no suspect or person of interest has been officially identified in Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, and detectives continue to follow all credible leads.