Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, two Nigerian brothers, have been sentenced to 17 and half years in federal prison for their involvement in a sextortion scheme that led to the tragic suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, a teenager from Marquette, Michigan in the United States of America.
Both brothers had pleaded guilty in April to charges of conspiracy to sexually exploit minors in a scheme that targeted numerous young men and teenage boys across the United States, including DeMay.
The sentencing, delivered by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker, marks the conclusion of a case that has resonated internationally due to the devastating impact of sextortion.
Samuel Ogoshi, 22, faced an additional charge as his actions were directly linked to DeMay’s death.
Sextortion, a form of blackmail where perpetrators threaten to expose compromising materials to extort victims, has become a growing threat, particularly among young people.
In a powerful response following the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, alongside Jordan DeMay’s parents, emphasized the importance of protecting children from such predatory practices.
DeMay’s parents, Jennifer Buta and her husband, have since dedicated their efforts to raising awareness and advocating for stronger measures to prevent similar tragedies. Jennifer reflected on her son’s legacy, stating:
“Jordan was larger than life… his story has changed lives internationally.”
The case has drawn attention to the dangers of online exploitation and the need for ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to such schemes.
Recall that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray visited Abuja in July, where he engaged with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu, and senior law enforcement and security officials.
The discussions centred on enhancing the partnership between the FBI and Nigeria in combating terrorism, violent crime, and cybercrime.
During his visit, Wray expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for Nigeria’s commitment to collaborating with the FBI against transnational criminal and terrorist threats.