14 August 2023 , 21:06
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The United States Justice Department successfully extradited two Nigerian men to face charges related to a sexual extortion scheme that led to the suicide of a 17-year-old Michigan high school student.
Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, from Lagos, arrived in the US. on Sunday and are scheduled to appear in federal court in Grand Rapids on Monday afternoon.
The pair is indicted on four counts, encompassing sexual exploitation of minors and the role they played in the death of Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old athlete from Michigan who took his own life in March 2022.
Authorities assert that the defendants coerced Jordan into sending explicit photographs by posing as young women. They allegedly threatened to distribute these images to his family, friends and classmates. If found guilty, Samuel and Samson Ogoshi could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years in prison.
The Ogoshi brothers are indicted on four counts, including sexual exploitation of minors and their involvement in Jordan DeMay's death (NBC News)
The Ogoshi brothers are indicted on four counts, including sexual exploitation of minors and their involvement in Jordan DeMay's death (NBC News)The FBI issued a warning last year regarding the increasing prevalence of these schemes, often originating from West Africa, where cybercriminal activities have been a longstanding concern.
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John DeMay, the father of the deceased athlete said: “Here were three Nigerian men that conspired from across the planet, and came into my house in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, and murdered my son.” told NBC news.
The investigation took agents from the FBI in Michigan all the way to Nigeria, where they worked closely with local law enforcement officials. The extradition of Ezekiel Robert, the third defendant implicated in the scheme, remains pending.
On July 20, a Nigerian judge ordered both Ogoshis to be turned over to the U.S. to face the charges in the indictment. On Aug. 3, the Nigerian solicitor-general signed the final surrender order, authorizing the U.S. to bring the Ogoshis to West Michigan.
Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old athlete from Michigan who took his own life in March 2022 (Instagram/_jordandemay)Devin J. Kowalski, acting special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan said: “Financial sextortion is a global crisis that impacts teens in our country and around the world.
"As this case demonstrates, the FBI is committed to working closely with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to prevent young men and women from becoming victims of this tragic crime.”
The indictment alleges that the defendants operated by using hacked social media accounts to pose as young women, engaging their victims in explicit chats. They allegedly coerced them into sending explicit images.
These images were then used to create collages, coupled with personal information gleaned from the internet, which the defendants would then threaten to expose unless their victims paid a sum of money.
Jordan DeMay, a senior student and a talented football and basketball player at Marquette Senior High School, found himself ensnared in this web. Six hours after being targeted for extortion, he tragically took his own life. Text conversations between Jordan and the extortionists showcased the emotional manipulation and threats he endured.
If you need to speak to someone in the UK, Samaritans are available 24/7 by calling 116 123 or by emailing [email protected]
If you need to speak to someone in the US, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988
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