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California Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case

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California Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case

A California man has pleaded guilty to sending a fake ransom note to the family of Nancy Guthrie. This development comes after FBI sources confirmed that some messages related to the kidnapping were indeed fake. The investigation into other notes is ongoing.

pbspeople-magazinewashington-examinerentertainment-weeklyfoxnewssan-antonio-express-newslatimesnbcnews17 sources·5 angles·20 articles
California Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Ransom Note in Nancy Guthrie Case

Photo: Daniel / Unsplash

What Happened

A California man has pleaded guilty to sending a fake ransom note to the family of Nancy Guthrie. The specific details of the plea agreement and the man's identity were not immediately available.

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FBI sources have indicated that at least some of the messages concerning Nancy Guthrie's kidnapping were not legitimate. This statement from the FBI contrasts with earlier reports and ongoing investigations into other ransom notes.

While some notes have been deemed fake, the FBI has stated that certain other ransom notes sent in the Nancy Guthrie case are still being investigated as potentially legitimate. The timeline for the resolution of these ongoing investigations has not been specified.

Key Facts

  1. 1

    A California man pleaded guilty to sending a fake ransom note.

  2. 2

    The note was sent to the family of Nancy Guthrie.

  3. 3

    FBI sources confirmed that some kidnapping-related messages concerning Nancy Guthrie were fake.

  4. 4

    The FBI is still investigating some ransom notes in the Nancy Guthrie case as potentially legitimate.

How outlets are framing this

The same facts, told 5 ways. Read them side by side and draw your own conclusions.

san-antonio-express-newsSan Antonio Express-News
This article focuses on the guilty plea of a California man for sending a fake ransom note to the Guthrie family.
Read their coverage
upiUnited Press International
This article states that the FBI has indicated some of the ransom notes in the Nancy Guthrie case are not legitimate.
Read their coverage
st-louis-post-dispatchSt. Louis Post-Dispatch
This article highlights the FBI's confirmation that some of the messages related to the Guthrie kidnapping were fake.
Read their coverage
rollingstoneRolling Stone
This article reports on the guilty plea of a California man for sending a fake ransom note to Nancy Guthrie's family.
Read their coverage
cleveland-plain-dealerCleveland Plain Dealer
This article mentions the ongoing nature of the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case, referencing '5 months of agony' and the investigation into ransom notes.
Read their coverage

Full Coverage

19 articles · chronological
Seattle PISeattle PI
Some ransom notes sent in Nancy Guthrie case still being investigated as legitimate, FBI says - Seattlepi.com
PeoplePeople
FBI Says Some Ransom Notes Are 'Still Being Investigated' in Nancy Guthrie Case - People.com
Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
FBI confirms some Nancy Guthrie ransom notes determined to be fake, others are still being investigated - Entertainment Weekly
The Daily BeastThe Daily Beast
Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case Jolted by New Ransom Note Revelation - The Daily Beast
San Antonio Express-NewsSan Antonio Express-News
Some ransom notes sent in Nancy Guthrie case still being investigated as legitimate, FBI says - San Antonio Express-News
United Press InternationalUnited Press International
FBI says some Nancy Guthrie ransom notes not legitimate
St. Louis Post-DispatchSt. Louis Post-Dispatch
FBI source: Guthrie kidnapping notes were fake
Fox NewsFox News
Nancy Guthrie mystery could be solved with 'crowdsourcing' help, private eye says
NBC NewsNBC News
FBI says it’s still investigating some notes in Nancy Guthrie case as legitimate
PBS NewsHourPBS NewsHour
Some ransom notes sent in Nancy Guthrie case still being investigated as legitimate, FBI says
Fox NewsFox News
Nancy Guthrie 'imposter' behind phony ransom notes pleads guilty to federal charges
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
California man pleads guilty to sending fake ransom notes to Guthrie family - azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic
Washington ExaminerWashington Examiner
California man pleads guilty to sending fake ransom note in Nancy Guthrie case
Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
L.A. County man admits he sent Nancy Guthrie's family fake ransom notes
PeoplePeople
Calif. Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note - People.com
E! OnlineE! Online
Nancy Guthrie Case: Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Ransom Note
Rolling StoneRolling Stone
California Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Nancy Guthrie’s Family Fake Ransom Note
United Press InternationalUnited Press International
Man pleads guilty to sending Guthrie family phony ransom demands
Cleveland Plain DealerCleveland Plain Dealer
Savannah Guthrie’s latest on Nancy’s kidnapping: ‘5 months of agony’ - Cleveland.com

About this analysis

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Full Coverage

19 articles · chronological

Seattle PISeattle PI
Some ransom notes sent in Nancy Guthrie case still being investigated as legitimate, FBI says - Seattlepi.com
PeoplePeople
FBI Says Some Ransom Notes Are 'Still Being Investigated' in Nancy Guthrie Case - People.com
Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly
FBI confirms some Nancy Guthrie ransom notes determined to be fake, others are still being investigated - Entertainment Weekly
The Daily BeastThe Daily Beast
Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case Jolted by New Ransom Note Revelation - The Daily Beast
San Antonio Express-NewsSan Antonio Express-News
Some ransom notes sent in Nancy Guthrie case still being investigated as legitimate, FBI says - San Antonio Express-News
United Press InternationalUnited Press International
FBI says some Nancy Guthrie ransom notes not legitimate
St. Louis Post-DispatchSt. Louis Post-Dispatch
FBI source: Guthrie kidnapping notes were fake
Fox NewsFox News
Nancy Guthrie mystery could be solved with 'crowdsourcing' help, private eye says
NBC NewsNBC News
FBI says it’s still investigating some notes in Nancy Guthrie case as legitimate
PBS NewsHourPBS NewsHour
Some ransom notes sent in Nancy Guthrie case still being investigated as legitimate, FBI says
Fox NewsFox News
Nancy Guthrie 'imposter' behind phony ransom notes pleads guilty to federal charges
Arizona RepublicArizona Republic
California man pleads guilty to sending fake ransom notes to Guthrie family - azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic
Washington ExaminerWashington Examiner
California man pleads guilty to sending fake ransom note in Nancy Guthrie case
Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
L.A. County man admits he sent Nancy Guthrie's family fake ransom notes
PeoplePeople
Calif. Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note - People.com
E! OnlineE! Online
Nancy Guthrie Case: Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Fake Ransom Note
Rolling StoneRolling Stone
California Man Pleads Guilty to Sending Nancy Guthrie’s Family Fake Ransom Note
United Press InternationalUnited Press International
Man pleads guilty to sending Guthrie family phony ransom demands
Cleveland Plain DealerCleveland Plain Dealer
Savannah Guthrie’s latest on Nancy’s kidnapping: ‘5 months of agony’ - Cleveland.com

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