In a significant development, Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, both hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, have been extradited to the United States from Nigeria to answer to indictments issued in May 2023. The indictments involve charges of sexually extorting multiple young men and teenage boys across the United States, with a focus on the Western District of Michigan.
Samuel Ogoshi is further accused of causing the tragic death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, a resident of Marquette, Michigan, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in March 2022.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten of the Western District of Michigan emphasized the gravity of the situation: “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.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Devin J. Kowalski of the FBI Michigan Field Office highlighted the global reach of the issue: “Financial sextortion is a global crisis that impacts teens in our country and around the world.”
The Ogoshi defendants are scheduled to make their initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Grand Rapids on Monday. Nigerian authorities arrested them in January at the request of the United States, and the extradition proceedings were handled by Nigerian prosecutors.
The charges against Samuel and Samson Ogoshi stem from a four-count indictment. Samuel faces charges of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death. This charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a statutory mandatory minimum of 30 years. Both defendants are also charged with conspiracy to sexually exploit minors, produce child pornographic images, distribute child pornography, and commit stalking through the internet.
The grand jury’s allegations indicate that the defendants manipulated hacked social media accounts to pose as young women and entice teenage and young adult males into explicit conversations. They coerced victims into sending explicit images, which were then combined with personal information to create collages used for blackmail.
The collaborative efforts of FBI agents from Michigan, Nigerian law enforcement officials, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, and the U.S. Department of State played a pivotal role in the arrest and extradition of the Ogoshi defendants.
This case underscores the importance of initiatives like Project Safe Childhood, aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. Local and federal law enforcement agencies are working together to combat child exploitation, educate communities, and provide resources for children’s safety.
The investigation, led by the FBI, Marquette Sheriff’s Department, and Michigan State Police Cybercrimes Unit, has been supported by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria.
The court proceedings will determine the fate of the defendants, while a reminder is shared that an indictment is not a verdict, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.