The United States has sentenced two Nigerian brothers to 18-year imprisonment each for engaging in sextortion of a 17-year-old high school student, Jordan DeMay.
Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, also bagged five years of supervised release over conspiracy to sexually exploit minors.
This was disclosed in a press release by the US Justice Department on Thursday revealing that the duo exploited and extorted money from over 100 persons, not excluding 11 minors, which led to the death of DeMay, a resident of Marquette, Michigan.
Speaking via the statement, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said the sentence of the Ogoshi brothers would serve as a deterrent to those engaging in Internet sexual manipulation and extortion.
“These defendants sexually exploited and extorted more than 100 victims, including at least eleven minors, resulting in the tragic death of a 17- year-old high school student,” said Garland.
“These sentences should serve as a warning that the perpetrators of online sexual exploitation and extortion cannot escape accountability for their heinous crimes by hiding behind their phones and computers. The Justice Department will find them, no matter where they are, and we will bring them to justice in the United States.”
In his submission, the US Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan, used the conviction of the Nigerian nationals to warn criminals, urging people to be circumspect when using phones and communication gadgets.
“The sentencing of sextortionists Samuel and Samson Ogoshi ensures both international criminals will no longer victimize minors in the United States or throughout the world,” said Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
On March 25, 2022, 17-year-old high school student, Jordan DeMay, of Marquette, Michigan, died as a result of this sextortion scheme, which targeted over 100 other victims.
In November 2022, the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan charged the brothers and another Nigerian, Ezekiel Robert, in the sextortion scheme that resulted in the demise of DeMay.
The Ogoshi brothers were extradited to the US in August 2023 and pleaded guilty in April.
