A federal judge has ordered Derrick Anthony Callella, the California man who admitted sending fake ransom messages to the family of missing Arizona woman Nancy Guthrie, to enter inpatient substance abuse treatment while he awaits sentencing. Guthrie, 84, is the mother of "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie and was reported missing from her home near Tucson on 1 February; her disappearance is still being investigated as a possible kidnapping-for-ransom case, which makes the fraudulent demands a significant distraction for investigators and the family.

Callella, 42, was arrested days after Guthrie vanished and pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment using a telecommunications device, having allegedly tried to extort bitcoin from her relatives. He is due to be sentenced on 10 September by US District Judge John C. Hinderaker. Investigators say Callella was not behind a separate, earlier ransom demand sent to local media, which the FBI continues to treat as potentially legitimate. His amended release conditions require him to live at a treatment facility or halfway house, follow all programme rules and contribute to the cost, with the US Marshals Service authorised to take him into custody if he fails to comply.