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Three Nigerian Men have been indicted, pending extradition, on multiple sexual extortion charges in Michigan’s West District federal court. The case is related to the death of, Jordan DeMay, in March 2022. Yesterday U.S. District Attorney of Michigan’s West District, Mark Totten, announced that three Nigerian men, have been charged for involvement in an international sextortion ring, that targeted numerous young men and teenage boys in Michigan and the United States.
Samuel Ogoshi 22, Samson Ogoshi 20, and Ezekial Ejeham Robert 19, of Lagos Nigeria, are charged with three counts of sexual extortion (sextortion). A fourth charge specifically charges Samuel Ogoshi with attempted sexual extortion of a minor resulting in death. The Federal Bureau of investigation is working with Nigerian officials to have the men extradited to the United States, where they will face trial in Michigan’s western district.
Totten turned over the press conference over to the FBI’s Michigan offices Special Agent in Charge, James Tarasca, to thank the FBI agents, and Marquette County Sheriff’s office for their immense work on the investigation. As well as thanking those in Nigeria who helped coordinate the international aspects of the investigation.
“This investigation required thousands of man-hours of investigative work. And the techniques used, and refined, during this investigation, will serve as a framework for disrupting criminal groups who engage in sextortion schemes going forward.” – James Tarasca, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Michigan Offices
Tarasca went further stating that parents need to talk with their children about these types of crimes, and what to look out for while online. Sextortion is often a computer related crime, where the extortionist will trick a victim into messaging explicit images of them. At which point the extortionist will reveal their true intentions, and threaten the victim with publishing and distributing the lewd images to the victim’s family and personal connections, in an attempt to extort money from the victim. Perpetrators of these crimes will often harass victims with non-stop demands.
Victims of these crimes often report feelings of embarrassment, shame, guilt, and isolation. If you are or you suspect someone may be a victim of sexual extortion, it is important to know that you have done nothing illegal. Because it is illegal for any adult to ask for, coerce, or demand obscene images from a minor. If you think someone you know may be a victim of sextortion, listen to their story, and encourage them to report these crimes. You can find the FBI’s resources on what sextortion is, how it happens, and what you can do to protect yourself and children, here.
