Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that the texts were allegedly sent by Derrick Callella and were intended to see whether the family “would respond,” Mediaite reported.

Melugin emphasized that the messages are not believed to be connected to the primary ransom demand tied to Guthrie’s disappearance.

In a post on X, Melugin said federal investigators determined Callella used a VOIP application to send the messages, but were able to identify him through an emergency disclosure request to his mobile carrier, which led them to his IP address and California residence.

According to the criminal complaint, Callella sent the text messages on or about Feb. 4 “with intent to abuse, threaten, or harass any specific person.”