GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Two Nigerian men have pleaded guilty to one charge after officials said they threatened to release a nude photo of a 17-year-old Michigan boy, causing him to die by suicide inside his home.
Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, are facing federal charges in the death of Jordan DeMay, who shot himself in 2022 after being tricked into sending explicit photos of himself to someone posing as a girl online.
“I always had this confident feeling that they would find who did this to Jordan,” his mother, Jennifer Buta, said.
“After they found these guys, indictments happened,” his father, John DeMay, said. “We knew it would be a long process, but not quite as fast as it actually happened.”
Both men pleaded guilty to sexploitation of children, and as part of the plea deal, the other charges will be dropped.
Samuel Ogoshi previously faced additional charges of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute child pornography, and conspiracy to commit stalking through the internet.
Samson Ogoshi previously faced additional charges of conspiracy to distribute child pornography and conspiracy to commit stalking through the internet.
The plea agreement has been accepted by the court, and it hasn’t been determined whether the sentencing will take place in Grand Rapids or Marquette.
Both men were remanded to the custody of U.S. Marshals.
Sextortion scheme
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The men were accused of contacting Jordan on Instagram while they posed as a girl. They lured him into sending compromising photos, and then immediately demanded money, threatening to send his photos to everyone in his life.
Jordan sent money, but the men continued to pressure him for more, according to authorities. Hours later, he killed himself.
Federal officials tracked the men to Nigeria, arrested them, and extradited them to Michigan to face charges.
“Make no mistake: Charges of this type brought against subjects outside of the United States are rare,” United States Attorney Mark Totten said. “Securing extradition of these subjects is even more rare.”
Ezekiel Ejehem Robert, 19, was also charged in this case.
According to officials, three additional people were facing charges in Nigeria and moving through the criminal justice system there.