By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The man who sent fake ransom notes to Nancy Guthrie’s family days after her disappearance has been sentenced.
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Derrick Anthony Callella appeared in federal court in Tucson on Monday, Aug. 31, and was sentenced to probation for 10 years.
Callella, of California, could have faced up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine, to go with supervised release.
On July 2, the 42-year-old Callella pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunication device.
He was arrested in February on charges of transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce and utilizing a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person.
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Callella texted two of Guthrie’s family members — her oldest daughter Annie and Annie’s husband Tommaso Cioni — on Feb. 4. He also allegedly made a nine-second call to a family member.
According to court records, he used a VOIP (internet) phone line to send the following message: “Did you get the bitcoin were (sic) waiting on our end for the transaction.”
Investigators said the messages were sent moments after the Guthrie family released the first video message to the alleged kidnappers, asking for proof of life.
Local criminal defense attorney Louis Fidel, who was not involved in Callella’s case, told 13 News the outcome did not come as a surprise when the plea deal was announced.
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Fidel said he hopes the plea deal discourages others from similar conduct.
“You certainly hope that people see that and understand that to do something like that is a crime — it does hurt people, and it’s not something that people should do,” Fidel said.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos issued a similar warning, saying individuals who send fraudulent notes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent.
“The FBI takes these notes extremely seriously. They track them down, and if they find it to be fraudulent, they don’t just put it aside; they will arrest you. They have made arrests, I think they’ve made two or three arrests already,” Nanos said.
Callella’s hearing came less than 24 hours after the FBI issued a statement saying it received several ransom notes over the course of the investigation. Some, including Callella’s, have been ruled illegitimate, while others remain under investigation.
Nanos said imposter notes impede the investigation and exploit the Guthrie family, urging anyone considering sending one to reconsider.
“Even if they’re playing a game, I don’t know what mind that is, that says this is what I want to do — don’t do it,” Nanos said.
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