Two Nigerian Brothers Sentenced to 17 Years 6 Months in Prison for Sextortion Scheme Linked to Michigan Teen’s Suicide
Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, two Nigerian brothers, have been sentenced to 17 and a half years in federal prison for their involvement in a sextortion scheme that tragically led to the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, a teenager from Marquette, Michigan, USA.
Both brothers pleaded guilty in April to charges of conspiracy to sexually exploit minors in a scheme targeting numerous young men and boys across the United States, including DeMay.
The sentencing, delivered by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker, brings an end to a case that has garnered international attention due to the devastating impact of sextortion.
Samuel Ogoshi, 22, faced an additional charge for his direct involvement in DeMay’s death. Sextortion, a form of online blackmail where perpetrators threaten to expose compromising images or information to extort victims, has become a growing concern, particularly for vulnerable young people.
Following the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten, along with Jordan DeMay’s parents, stressed the importance of protecting children from such predatory practices.
DeMay’s parents, Jennifer Buta and her husband, have since committed themselves to raising awareness and advocating for stronger protections against similar crimes. Jennifer reflected on her son’s legacy, saying, “Jordan was larger than life… his story has touched lives around the world.”
The case has highlighted the dangers of online exploitation and underscored the urgent need to protect vulnerable individuals from these kinds of threats.
Earlier this year, in July, FBI Director Christopher Wray visited Abuja, where he met with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and senior law enforcement officials.
Their discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between the FBI and Nigeria to combat terrorism, violent crime, and cybercrime.
During his visit, Wray expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) for Nigeria’s commitment to working with the FBI in tackling transnational crime and terrorist threats.
