Defendant Pleads Guilty in Nancy Guthrie Case

A man accused of sending fake ransom demands in the case involving Nancy Guthrie entered a guilty plea on Thursday in a federal court in Tucson, Arizona. Derrick Anthony Carrera, 42, from Hawthorne, California, harassed the Guthrie family with false ransom claims.

Nancy Guthrie, mother to Today co-host Savannah Guthrie, went missing early on February 1, sparking a complex investigation. The following day, a ransom note was sent to local media outlets, raising questions about its legitimacy. The FBI quickly identified Carrera’s messages as hoaxes. He was arrested days later and charged with online harassment.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, sentencing is set for September 10, 2026, under U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker. Carrera faces two counts of harassment, each potentially resulting in two years of imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000, or both, followed by a year of supervised release.

Allegations against Carrera include contacting Annie Guthrie, Nancy’s other daughter, and her son-in-law with fake phone numbers, asking if they’d received any Bitcoin. He purportedly made several calls, one lasting about nine seconds.

Federal prosecutors stressed that it was evident Carrera was attempting to exploit the situation. They noted he had knowledge of earlier legitimate ransom demands and admitted his intent was to harass the family regarding the missing persons investigation.

While investigators have not connected Carrera to the ransom demands made on February 2 sent to media outlets, they have traced a spoofed number back to an email account registered in his name. After being read his rights, Carrera reportedly confessed to sending two messages after discovering the family’s details online.

FBI Special Agent Heiss Janke, who addressed reporters after Carrera’s arrest, remarked that another ransom demand was under investigation, possibly linked to the actual kidnappers.

Following his arrest, Carrera was released on a $20,000 bail and prohibited from applying for a passport.

There have been other ransom notes in the case. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings previously indicated they believed some of these demands might be genuine, although the sender’s identity remains unknown. The FBI continues to treat this case as a kidnapping for ransom, and the investigation is ongoing.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has stated that the FBI is primarily managing the ransom-related inquiries, urging the public to share any tips. The Sheriff’s Office has chosen to leave commentary on Carrera’s guilty plea to the FBI, who have yet to respond.