Two Nigerian men, Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, were sentenced to 210 months each in a Michigan federal court for their involvement in an online sexual extortion scheme that led to the suicide of a teenage boy named Jordan DeMay in March 2022. The brothers were found to be buying hacked Instagram accounts to deceive both adult men and underage boys, coercing them into sending explicit images. They would then threaten to share these images with the victims’ family and friends if they did not pay a ransom. The indictment against the brothers stated that they attempted to extort more than 100 people in this scheme. The Ogoshi brothers pleaded guilty to conspiring to sexually exploit teenage boys and were extradited from Nigeria to the U.S. to face charges.
Jordan was a graduating senior at Marquette Senior High School and an athlete who played football and basketball. He was unable to pay the $1,000 ransom demanded by the Ogoshi brothers and tragically took his own life within six hours of being blackmailed, his parents revealed. Messages included in the indictment showed the brothers responding callously to Jordan’s threats of self-harm. His mother, Jennifer Buta, has made it her life’s mission to share her son’s story in the hopes of preventing similar tragedies from happening to other children. Buta has been advocating for change and raising awareness about the dangers of financial sextortion, which is a growing crime targeting teenagers.
In response to the tragic case of Jordan DeMay and others like him, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill in May that requires online platforms to report violations related to online sexual exploitation of children to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This legislation aims to address the increasing prevalence of online crimes targeting minors and improve the safety of young people in digital spaces. Buta has been actively pushing for legislative action to hold perpetrators of online sexual exploitation accountable and to provide support for victims and their families.
The case of Samuel and Samson Ogoshi highlights the serious consequences of online sexual extortion and the devastating impact it can have on victims and their loved ones. The brothers’ involvement in this scheme resulted in the tragic death of Jordan DeMay and brought to light the dangers faced by individuals, particularly teenagers, in online spaces. In response to incidents like this, it is crucial for law enforcement agencies, lawmakers, and advocacy groups to work together to prevent similar crimes from occurring in the future and to provide support for those affected by these offenses.
The sentencing of the Ogoshi brothers to over 17 years in prison serves as a warning to others who engage in online extortion and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. By holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, authorities aim to deter others from committing similar crimes and to protect potential victims from harm. Additionally, the extradition of the brothers from Nigeria to face trial in the U.S. demonstrates the international collaboration required to address transnational crimes and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
As the case of Jordan DeMay tragically illustrates, online sexual exploitation and extortion can have devastating consequences, including loss of life. It is essential for parents, educators, and caregivers to educate young people about online safety and the risks associated with sharing personal information and images online. By raising awareness about the dangers of online predators and providing resources for victims of online crimes, we can work together to prevent future tragedies and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to exploitation and coercion in digital spaces.
