California man pleads guilty to sending false ransom note in Nancy Guthrie disappearance

The FBI is still evaluating some notes relating to Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance as potentially “legitimate,” it said in an update.

A California man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal charges of sending a false ransom note in relation to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie.

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In a plea agreement, Derrick Callella, 42, pleaded guilty to two felony counts for sending a ransom demand across state lines and using a telecommunications device to threaten or harass, NBC affiliate KVOA of Tucson reported. He must serve five years of probation and will be sentenced Sept. 10.

Prosecutors told the court Thursday that Callella had tested positive for drugs. He also acknowledged that he used drugs four days earlier, according to statements he made in court.