A Los Angeles County man was arrested after he despatched “imposter” ransom messages to the household of “At present” co-host Savannah Guthrie, whose mom stays lacking from her Arizona dwelling in a suspected abduction, federal officers mentioned Thursday.
“To these imposters who’re making an attempt to take benefit and revenue from this example, we are going to examine and guarantee you’re held accountable on your actions,” Heith Janke, particular agent in command of the FBI’s Phoenix division, mentioned at a information convention. He mentioned Thursday’s arrest was made after investigators tracked down an “imposter ransom demand,” which was unrelated to a separate ransom letter obtained by information shops that officers are taking severely.
Guthrie and her siblings this week addressed the suspected abductor in a tearful video, asking them to succeed in out immediately and supply some proof of lifetime of their mom, 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie.
After that emotional video was posted and publicized, authorities say Derrick Callella, of Hawthorne, despatched messages to Guthrie relations.
“Did you get the bitcoin have been [sic] ready on our finish for the transaction,” learn the message despatched to no less than two relations, in keeping with the federal prison grievance filed in Arizona.
Callella, 42, is accused of utilizing a voice over web protocol textual content and name utility to surreptitiously attain out to the household, however authorities have been capable of hyperlink the telephone quantity to his electronic mail handle and, later, his residence, in keeping with the grievance.
In line with knowledge reviewed by authorities, Callella texted the household twice and known as them no less than as soon as.
The grievance mentioned Callella later admitted to sending the 2 textual content messages.
“The Division of Justice will shield victims and households in any respect prices, and grief profiteers might be held accountable,” Arizona U.S. Atty. Timothy Courchaine wrote in an announcement. “This case got here collectively in underneath 24 hours due to the coordinated work of the FBI, native regulation enforcement and the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Central District of California.”
Callella has been arrested on suspicion of transmitting a requirement for ransom in interstate commerce, and with out disclosing his identification, using a telecommunications system with the intent to abuse, threaten or harass an individual.
He was taken into custody Thursday in L.A. County and can seem earlier than a federal Justice of the Peace decide within the morning, in keeping with a spokesperson for the U.S. lawyer’s workplace in Los Angeles.
In line with federal officers, he is similar particular person who was charged with unemployment fraud in October by the Los Angeles County district lawyer’s workplace, accused together with 12 others of working for the county whereas additionally submitting for — and receiving — unemployment advantages throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared in state courtroom for a preliminary listening to in that case Wednesday, in keeping with courtroom data, the day he’s accused of sending the texts to the Guthries.
A lawyer representing him in that case declined to remark when reached by The Instances Thursday afternoon. She mentioned she had not been contacted by federal authorities concerning the federal case.
