California Man Makes Initial Appearance for Transmitting a Demand for Ransom

TUCSON, Ariz. – A California man charged with transmitting a demand for ransom made an initial appearance today in federal court in Tucson, announced U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine.

Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, California, is charged with transmitting a demand for ransom in interstate commerce, and without disclosing his identity, utilizing a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten or harass a person.

According to the criminal complaint, Callella is alleged to have sent the demands via two text messages to a missing person’s family on Feb. 4, 2026. He is also alleged to have made a 9-second phone call to a family member.

Through the course of the investigation, it was found that Callella was acting as an imposter, trying to take advantage of the ongoing situation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI will continue to hold this defendant accountable and any other individuals who seek to interfere with federal investigations or profit from the victim family’s grief.

A criminal complaint is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

CASE NUMBER:            26-04209MJ

RELEASE NUMBER:    2026- 025_Callella

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/

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