Torrance Man Released on $20K Bond After Fake Ransom Demand Charge

Torrance Man Charged in Bogus Ransom Demand Linked to Savannah Guthrie’s Mother

A Torrance man, Derrick Callella, has recently made headlines after facing federal charges related to sending a phony ransom demand to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the missing mother of "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. Callella’s initial court appearance took place in Santa Ana, where he was released on a $20,000 bond. The case has garnered significant media attention, given its connection to a high-profile personality and the alarming circumstances surrounding the incident.

Nancy Guthrie, an 84-year-old woman, was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on January 31, leading to concerns that she may have been abducted. The situation escalated when Callella allegedly sent text messages to Guthrie’s family, explicitly referencing a ransom in bitcoin. These messages were sent shortly after the family released a video appealing for their mother’s safe return, highlighting the distressing nature of the case.

The investigation revealed that the messages could be traced back to Callella’s residence, and authorities state that he admitted to sending them. Shortly following his foray into this alarming situation, he attempted to reach out to a member of the Guthrie family, raising further suspicions about his motives. On Thursday, federal charges were filed against Callella for transmitting a ransom demand across state lines and using telecommunications to harass, threaten, or abuse individuals without revealing his identity.

During his first court appearance, U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen E. Scott imposed strict conditions, barring Callella from contacting any victims or witnesses in the case. This decision came after Assistant U.S. Attorney Nandor Kiss argued for Callella to be held without bond, citing risks of flight, potential obstruction of justice, and threats made to witnesses. Kiss also highlighted an outstanding warrant against Callella related to a previous misdemeanor case, raising concerns about his ties to the community.

The defense, represented by Adithya Mani from the federal Public Defender’s Office, contended that Callella’s mother could provide the bond, as she has an annual income of $35,000 from Social Security and retirement. Mani classified the federal allegations as an isolated incident without a history of threats, seeking to emphasize Callella’s stability as a lifelong Southern California resident and a father of three.

Callella’s legal troubles extend beyond the current case; he was one of 13 Los Angeles County employees implicated in a fraudulent unemployment claims scheme. Allegations state that collectively, these individuals defrauded the state of over $430,000. Specifically, Callella, who worked as an intermediate clerk for the Department of Health Services, is accused of stealing nearly $10,000 in unemployment benefits between May 2020 and January 2022. The outcome of his previous criminal charges remains uncertain, with a hearing scheduled for March 5 to evaluate whether there is sufficient evidence for him to stand trial.

As the case develops, the community watches closely, both for its connections to celebrity culture and for the serious implications of the charges against Callella. The allegations of a bogus ransom demand evoke discussions about the alarming rise in crime and the challenges law enforcement faces in addressing such threats, especially in sensitive cases involving kidnapping and potential harm to vulnerable individuals.