In a jaw-dropping turn of events surrounding the ongoing kidnapping case of Nancy Guthrie, the FBI has made an arrest that’s raising eyebrows. Derrick Callella, a man from Los Angeles, has been charged for allegedly sending text messages to Nancy’s family concerning bitcoin—a highly inappropriate subject considering the situation’s gravity. The texts were sent in the aftermath of a plea video released by TODAY anchor Savannah Guthrie, which further highlighted the turmoil the family is in.
Callella’s text—which bluntly asked if the family had received the bitcoin they were“waiting on”—came just after the family had received a ransom note demanding millions in cryptocurrency. What’s particularly baffling is that the FBI has stated there’s no direct connection between Callella’s messages and the ransom demand, which only thickens the plot. As the confusion mounts over why he thought texting about bitcoin was a good idea during such a harrowing time, it’s hard not to wonder, what was he thinking?
Despite the bizarre nature of Callella’s actions, he’s now facing serious federal charges, including transmitting a ransom demand and making anonymous calls. It’s a cautionary tale on the bizarre lengths people may go to get attention amid crises. With all the twists and turns, this case begs the question: how far is too far when trying to stay relevant in a media-saturated world?
About the Author
Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
