Two brothers from Nigeria have been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in federal prison for sexually extorting teenage boys and young men in the United States. Samuel Ogoshi, 24, and Samson Ogoshi, 21, were sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiring to sexually exploit teenage boys. The sentencing came after emotional testimony from the parents and stepmother of Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old from Michigan who tragically took his own life.
The Ogoshi brothers, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, were extradited to the U.S. to face trial. They were accused of operating an international sextortion ring, posing as a woman to extort victims, including DeMay. The scheme led to DeMay taking his own life in March 2022. Federal prosecutors stated that over 100 victims were targeted by the brothers’ sextortion schemes.
U.S. Attorney Mark Totten emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that criminals involved in such schemes would be pursued and held accountable regardless of their location. Sexual extortion, commonly known as sextortion, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years.
The sentencing judge, Robert J. Jonker, handed down a 17 1/2-year prison term to the brothers and ordered five years of supervision post-release. The judge stressed the callous nature of the defendants’ actions, noting their disregard for life, especially their continuation of sextortion activities even after learning of DeMay’s death.
Family members of the victim delivered heart-wrenching testimonies in court. DeMay’s mother described the profound impact of her son’s death, expressing her devastation and anger. She shared the heartbreaking realization that her son’s final message to her was a goodbye before he ended his life.
The stepmother of the deceased teen tearfully expressed the enduring pain inflicted on the family, stating that moments of joy would forever be clouded by the sadness of Jordan’s absence. DeMay’s father recounted the haunting memory of discovering his son’s lifeless body, emphasizing Jordan’s remarkable qualities and the irreplaceable loss.
Defense attorneys for the Ogoshi brothers acknowledged their clients’ remorse and cooperation with authorities. They highlighted the influence of circumstances and surroundings, particularly noting the prevalence of similar scams in Lagos, Nigeria. Despite expressing regret, the attorneys underscored the need for understanding the factors contributing to the brothers’ participation in criminal activities.
