Three Nigerian men have been accused of global sexual extortion that led a teenage boy in the United States to commit suicide.
The men who are awaiting extradition to the
U.S., have been identified as Samuel Ogoshi, 22, Samson Ogochi, 20, and Ezekiel
Ejehem Robert, 19.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of
Michigan, Mark Totten on Wednesday, 3 May, 2023, announced the unsealing of a
federal indictment charging the three Nigerians with sexually extorting
numerous young men and teenage boys in the Western District of Michigan and across
the United States.
One of the men has been charged with causing
the death of Jordan DeMay, of Marquette, Michigan.
“On March 25, 2022, 17-year-old DeMay was
found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death prompted an
investigation by the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, which culminated in the indictment unsealed today,”
the statement read.
“Sextortion is a horrible crime that can
leave especially younger victims feeling ashamed with nowhere to turn,” Mark
Totten said.
“My heart goes out to the family of Jordan
DeMay. Nothing can bring Jordan back, but my office is committed to securing
justice and, alongside Jordan’s family, sending an urgent warning so others can
protect themselves and their families. We will travel the world to hold the
perpetrators of these crimes accountable.”
“Financial sextortion is a global crisis that
impacts teens in our country and around the globe. That’s why the FBI is
working hand in hand with our domestic and international law enforcement
partners to prevent youth from becoming victims of this tragic crime and to
hold those who target our teens in this manner accountable – no matter where in
the world they may be,” said James A. Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge of the
FBI in Michigan.
The three defendants, all of Lagos, Nigeria,
are charged in a four-count indictment.
Count 1 charges Samuel Ogoshi with Sexual
Exploitation and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Resulting in Death in
association with the death of Jordan DeMay. The charge carries a maximum
penalty of life in prison and a statutory mandatory minimum of 30 years in
prison.
Count 2 charges all three men with Conspiracy
to Sexually Exploit Minors by causing the minors to produce child pornographic images
that the defendants then used to blackmail the minors.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30
years in prison and a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.
Count 3 charges all three men with Conspiracy
to Distribute Child Pornography for sending child pornography images to minors,
as well as their families and friends. The charge carries a maximum penalty of
20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years in prison.
Count 4 charges Conspiracy to Commit Stalking
Through the Internet for engaging in this sextortion scheme as it relates to
both minors and young adults. The charge has a maximum penalty of 5 years in
prison.
All charges have provisions for fines,
restitution, and supervised release after their release from prison.
Cooperation Department Antoinette Oche-Obe,
Central Authority Unit, Office of the Attorney General – Ministry of Justice;
Director of Operations Abdulkarim Chukkol, Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission; and Principle Prosecutor Pius Akutah, Central Authority Unit,
Office of the Attorney General – Ministry of Justice; Nigeria’s Federal
Ministry of Justice, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC);
the Central Authority Unit of Nigeria’s Ministry of Justice; and the Attorney
General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking, EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa,
said: “International cooperation is critical. In the last two years, this
coordination has strengthened efforts connected with the extradition,
deportation, and mutual legal or other assistance between Nigeria and the
United States involving Economic and Financial Crimes.”
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