Nigerian Offenders Admit to Sextortion: Justice for Jordan DeMay
The tragic case of Jordan DeMay, who took his own life almost two years ago after falling victim to a sextortion scheme, is finally seeing justice served. Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, both from Lagos, Nigeria, have entered guilty pleas and are currently awaiting sentencing for their participation in the exploitation of teenage boys in the Western District of Michigan and across the United States.
The crime of conspiracy to sexually exploit minors carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, with a maximum of 30 years. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten expressed his satisfaction with the guilty pleas, describing them as a significant achievement in the fight against international sextortion. He added that these convictions serve as a warning to criminals across the globe, demonstrating that the collaboration between law enforcement agencies can lead to their capture and prosecution.
Totten also expressed his hope that the guilty pleas would provide some solace to the family of Jordan DeMay, emphasizing that their work is not yet complete. He noted that the Ogoshi brothers are set to be sentenced later in the year, and efforts are ongoing to extradite the third defendant, Ezekiel Robert.
The plea agreement outlines the crucial roles played by Samuel and Samson Ogoshi in the creation of fake online profiles, the enticement of victims, and the extortion of sexually explicit material. As part of their guilty pleas, the brothers have agreed to cooperate in the prosecution of others involved in the scheme. Meanwhile, the charges against Ezekiel Robert are still pending.
In August, Nigeria extradited the Ogoshi brothers to the United States following their grand jury indictment in November 2022. Subsequently, a Nigerian court ruled on March 21 that Ezekiel Robert should also be extradited to the United States. However, Robert has lodged an appeal, and the matter is currently being deliberated by the Nigerian High Court.
FBI Special Agent in Charge, Cheyvoryea Gibson, highlighted the increasing threat of financial sextortion targeting minors nationwide, emphasizing that the case had a profound impact on the Michigan community. She urged the public to engage in open and honest discussions with their loved ones regarding the issue, and to be vigilant for warning signs of sextortion. Individuals who suspect that they or someone they know has been victimized are encouraged to reach out to the FBI through the hotline or by submitting a tip online.
The legal proceedings in this case are being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Mekaru and Davin Reust, with the FBI, the Marquette County Sheriff’s Department, and the Michigan State Police Cybercrime Unit in Marquette leading the investigation. The cooperation and assistance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Department of State, and the Nigerian Attorney General’s Office-Ministry of Justice have been instrumental in securing the arrest and extradition of the defendants.
It is important to note that the charges against Ezekiel Robert are still pending, and he is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
