Man Faces Prison After Sending Fake Ransom Texts to Nancy Guthrie's Family

A California man has pleaded guilty to sending fake messages to the family of missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie, federal prosecutors said.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona, 42-year-old Derrick Callella admitted to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device. Prosecutors said he called and texted Nancy Guthrie's family on Feb. 4 asking about a bitcoin transfer after learning that an earlier ransom demand had been made. He admitted his actions were intended to harass the family and gather information about the investigation.

Callella faces up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, the mother of Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was last seen at her Arizona home on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the next day. Investigators believe she was taken against her will.

Authorities have received several ransom messages during the investigation. The FBI has said some were fraudulent extortion attempts, while other ransom demands are still being investigated.

Speaking on Today in June, Savannah Guthrie said her family remains in "agony" and appealed to the public for information, saying they will never stop searching for their mother.