Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, from Lagos, Nigeria, have been extradited to the United States to face charges for sexually extorting numerous young men and teenage boys in the Western District of Michigan and across the country. Samuel Ogoshi has also been charged with causing the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, Michigan, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in March 2022.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, expressed his strong stance against these crimes, stating, “Sextortion is a horrible crime. To those who commit these crimes: we will pursue you around the world. And to those who are victims: please know we stand ready to help you.” He also commended the swift extradition efforts and thanked the FBI and Nigerian law enforcement partners for their relentless work in securing justice in this international sexual exploitation investigation.
The FBI has emphasized that financial sextortion is a global crisis that affects teens worldwide. Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, Devin J. Kowalski, stated, “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 initial appearance for the extradited defendants is scheduled to take place at the federal courthouse in Grand Rapids. Nigerian authorities arrested Samuel and Samson Ogoshi in January 2023 at the request of the United States. The extradition proceedings were managed by Nigerian prosecutors on behalf of the United States. On July 20, the Honorable Justice B.F.M. Nyako ordered the Ogoshis to be turned over to the United States, and on August 3, B.E. Jedy Agba, the Solicitor-General of the Nigerian Federation, signed the final surrender order, authorizing the United States to bring the Ogoshis to West Michigan.
The charges against Samuel Ogoshi and Samson Ogoshi are outlined in a four-count indictment. Count 1 charges Samuel Ogoshi with Sexual Exploitation and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Resulting in Death in connection with Jordan DeMay’s death. This charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison. Count 2 charges both men with Conspiracy to Sexually Exploit Minors by coercing minors into producing child pornographic images, which were then used to blackmail them. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison. Count 3 charges both men with Conspiracy to Distribute Child Pornography for sending the explicit images to the minors, as well as their families and friends. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. Count 4 charges both men with Conspiracy to Commit Stalking Through the Internet for engaging in the sextortion scheme involving both minors and young adults. This charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. All charges include provisions for fines, restitution, and supervised release.
According to the grand jury, the defendants acquired hacked social media accounts and posed as young women to entice teenage and young adult males into sexual conversations. One of the accounts used was an Instagram account with the username “dani.robertts,” which had communication with Jordan DeMay prior to his death. The defendants then researched information about the victims, including their personal details, schools, workplaces, and social connections, using Google and other online platforms.
The grand jury further alleges that the defendants solicited victims to send sexually explicit images of themselves. Upon receiving these images, the defendants created collages that combined the explicit images with other photos of the victims obtained from social media, including images of their schools, families, and friends. They then threatened to expose these collages to others, including the victims’ families, friends, and classmates, unless the victims paid money. The grand jury believes that the defendants extorted or attempted to extort over 100 individuals.
The extradition of the third defendant, Ezekial Ejehem Robert, is still pending, and the authorities are working to ensure his swift extradition to the United States.
In conclusion, the extradition of Samuel Ogoshi and Samson Ogoshi from Nigeria to the United States represents a significant step forward in seeking justice for the victims of sexual exploitation and sextortion. The charges against them highlight the severity of their offenses and the lasting impact it has on their victims. The collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies in both countries demonstrate a commitment to combatting these crimes globally and protecting vulnerable individuals from becoming victims of such tragic circumstances.
