A California man has been charged with transmitting a demand for ransom to a missing person’s family in Arizona.
Derrick Callella, 42, of Hawthorne, California, is accused of sending two text messages to the family on February 4, 2026, and making a 9-second phone call to a family member.
According to the criminal complaint, Callella was acting as an imposter, trying to take advantage of the ongoing situation.
Through the course of the investigation, it was found that Callella was utilizing a telecommunications device with intent to abuse, threaten or harass a person.
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.
Callella 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.
CASE NUMBER: 26-04209MJ
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-025_Callella
This case is a reminder that the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI will hold accountable those who seek to take advantage of vulnerable individuals and families.
Related Federal Cases
- Derrick Callella, Transmitting a Demand for Ransom, Arizona 2026 · Alabama
- Michael Persaud, Cyber Spam Fraud, Arizona 2016 · California
- Six Hackers and Three Telecom Employees, SIM Hijacking, USA 2023 · Connecticut
- Bulk Telephony Metadata Collection Renewed · Arizona
- Yahoo! Ordered to Comply with Govt Surveillance, California 2008 · Arizona
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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