MICHIGAN – The tragic death of a Michigan teenager who fell victim to a sextortion scheme has resulted in significant legal consequences for the perpetrators.
On Thursday, a federal judge in Marquette sentenced Nigerian brothers Samuel and Samson Ogoshi to 210 months in prison each, following their guilty pleas to charges of conspiring to sexually exploit a minor.
Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old high school student from Marquette, Michigan, took his own life in March 2022 after being targeted in an online sextortion scam.
The brothers, Samuel, 22, and Samson, 20, who were extradited to the United States from Lagos, Nigeria, in August 2023, were found guilty of blackmailing DeMay after he sent nude photographs of himself to someone he believed was a girl he had befriended on social media.
A Desperate Plea
According to court records, Jordan DeMay was approached on Instagram by individuals pretending to be a young woman.
Believing he was engaging with a peer, DeMay sent intimate photographs to the account. However, the recipients were actually the Ogoshi brothers, who had hacked the Instagram profile to exploit vulnerable individuals.
The Ogoshi brothers then demanded $1,000 from DeMay, threatening to distribute the images to his friends and family if he did not comply.
Unable to meet their demand, DeMay paid $300 and expressed his despair, revealing that he could not afford to pay more. The extortionists responded with chilling indifference, stating, “Do that fast … or I’ll make you do it … I swear to God.”
Tragically, Jordan DeMay took his own life less than six hours later, unable to bear the pressure and humiliation imposed by the scam.
Family’s Call for Awareness
Jennifer Buta, Jordan’s mother, addressed the media following the sentencing, expressing a sense of partial closure but emphasizing the ongoing need for education about online safety.
“At the end of the day, someone is being held accountable for what they did to Jordan,” Buta said. “While no sentence could ever bring him back, it does provide some measure of justice.”
Buta, who has been vocal about her son’s story, stressed the importance of educating families and young people about the dangers of interacting with strangers on the internet.
“We’re going to keep pressing forward and help kids and parents and families and schools and law enforcement understand this impact,” she said. “It’s crucial to learn how to process these situations and prevent them from occurring.”
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The investigation into Jordan DeMay’s death was led by the FBI’s Michigan field office. Agents traced the extortion communications to the Ogoshi brothers in Nigeria and discovered that the pair had used stolen Instagram accounts to target more than 100 individuals.
Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt highlighted the broader implications of the case, emphasizing that criminals seeking to exploit minors have no safe haven.
“We are sending out a clear message that people seeking to exploit minors will be pursued, no matter where they are,” Zyburt said. “Our commitment to bringing these individuals to justice is unwavering.”
A Broader Issue
The sentencing of the Ogoshi brothers serves as a stark reminder of the increasing prevalence of sextortion and the dangers posed by online predators.
Sextortion, a form of blackmail where individuals are coerced into providing sexually explicit material or money, has become a significant issue in the digital age.
The emotional and psychological toll on victims can be devastating, as illustrated by Jordan DeMay’s tragic story.
Efforts to combat online exploitation have been bolstered by increased awareness and stricter legal measures.
Law enforcement agencies worldwide are enhancing their capabilities to track and prosecute online criminals, with international cooperation playing a crucial role in addressing such cases.
Looking Ahead
In the wake of Jordan DeMay’s death, his family’s advocacy has highlighted the need for greater vigilance and education regarding online interactions.
By sharing their story, the DeMay family hopes to prevent similar tragedies and encourage more robust preventative measures.
As the Ogoshi brothers begin their lengthy prison sentences, the DeMay family continues their mission to educate and inform.
“We hope that by speaking out, we can help protect other families from experiencing the same heartache,” Jennifer Buta said. “We want to make sure that no other parent has to go through what we’ve endured.”
The sentencing of Samuel and Samson Ogoshi marks a significant step in the fight against online exploitation. However, it also underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and education to safeguard young people in an increasingly digital world.
