ON THE SCENE as subject in Nancy Guthrie kidnapping questioned, family insists he is not connected

Retired FBI agent Steve Moore clarifies that when the FBI uses the term 'subject' in an investigation, it signifies their belief that this individual is responsible for the crime, distinguishing it from 'person of interest' or 'suspect.' This indicates a strong evidentiary basis for their actions.

Moore states, 'If the FBI is actually using that term, that means he's their guy.'

The execution of a search warrant by the FBI is not a casual act; it requires a federal magistrate or judge to review evidence and agree that there is probable cause to believe the individual is connected to the crime. This legal hurdle suggests the FBI possesses substantial, credible information.

Moore explains, 'You have to show probable cause to believe somebody is the subject of this crime and bring that before a federal magistrate and have them agree before you can get a search warrant.'

The FBI's reported deposit of $300 into the Bitcoin ransom account was a deliberate investigative tactic. It was intended to 'light up' the account, generating activity or notifications that could help identify or track the holder, rather than fulfilling the ransom demand itself.

Moore suggests the $300 deposit was 'like a fishing hook, hoped that it would prod somebody to take action or at least look at... money has been deposited in your account. You light up your side and check it out.' He adds it tells him they likely didn't pay the full ransom.

The fact that the subject was pulled over while doing Door Dash, rather than being apprehended at home, strongly suggests he was already under active surveillance by the FBI. This indicates that investigators had identified him as a person of interest prior to the public release of surveillance photos.

Moore states, 'It means he was under surveillance... The FBI was probably on him before the pictures came out this morning because I don't think based on that photograph alone that somebody just somebody in Rio Rico picked up a phone and said, 'Hey, I know that guy behind the mask.''

Analysis of the surveillance photos of the kidnapper revealed an unusual and impractical way of carrying a firearm. The individual used a holster designed for a much larger revolver to carry a small semi-automatic pistol, suggesting a lack of familiarity or experience with firearms.

Moore describes the kidnapper's gun setup as 'kind of embarrassing,' noting 'he had the holster he had was for a long barreled revolver... what he had in that holster was a a little tiny um semi-automatic that took up about a third of the holster and looked like it was falling out half the time.'