The Curious Case of Nancy Guthrie's Alleged Letters: A Deeper Dive into a Potential Scam

Just when you thought a story couldn't get any stranger, it seems a third letter, purportedly from Nancy Guthrie—the woman who pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges back in 2017—has made its way into the public eye. And this time, a former FBI assistant director is stepping forward to flag it as highly suspicious, hinting that we might be looking at a sophisticated scam, perhaps even a 'sextortion' attempt.

Mark Zaid, a seasoned national security attorney and a former assistant director of the FBI's Office of Congressional Affairs, didn't mince words when he saw this latest missive. He told Fox News Digital that this whole saga has the hallmarks of someone trying to manipulate the situation, perhaps to extort money or simply to gather information from unsuspecting recipients. It's a calculated move, he suggests, playing on public curiosity or sympathy.

The alleged letter, a rather lengthy, handwritten affair spanning four pages, claims to be from Guthrie herself. It paints a dramatic picture: she alleges she was 'entrapped' by the FBI, insists she's being held against her will, and even goes so far as to name other individuals supposedly involved in a larger conspiracy. Quite a narrative, wouldn't you say?

But here's the kicker: this isn't the first time such a letter has popped up. Before this one, a similar handwritten note, also allegedly from Guthrie, was sent directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. Then came another, dispatched to a reporter, pushing this very same entrapment narrative. The authorities, including the FBI and the U.S. Marshals Service, have been pretty consistent in their stance, dismissing these letters as nothing more than hoaxes. They believe these are fabrications, not genuine communications from Guthrie.

You see, Guthrie has a rather complex history. She was sentenced to nearly 10 years in federal prison after admitting to charges related to child sex abuse. She was released in 2021 but then violated her supervised release conditions and was subsequently sent back to custody. So, she's currently behind bars, which adds another layer of intrigue to these mysterious letters. How would she even send them?

Zaid's concern is palpable. He warns that the person behind these letters might be attempting to bait recipients into responding, perhaps hoping they'll reveal personal information or even send money. It's a classic tactic in the world of scams, leveraging a known public figure's name to lend an air of legitimacy to their deceptive requests. It really underscores the importance of being incredibly cautious when unsolicited, dramatic correspondence like this appears.