Two Nigerians Sentenced in Sextortion Case That Led to Death of Marquette Teen

MARQUETTE, Mich. (WNEM) – Two Nigerians have been convicted in the sextortion operation that led to the suicide of a Michigan teenager.

In March 2022, Jordan DeMay, 17, of Marquette, died after investigators said brothers Samuel and Sampson Ogoshi posed as a young woman on social media, encouraging teens and young men like DeMay to send sexually explicit images before blackmailing their victims for money and threatening to send the photos to their friends, family and classmates.

The brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sexually exploit minors. They were sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison.

After the proceedings, Mark Totten, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan, explained why this case is groundbreaking.

Totten called Thursday, September 5, a very important day.

“This sends a message to all criminals, or potential criminals, around the world: wherever they are, we will hunt them down and find them and hold them accountable,” he said.

Totten was joined by Jordan DeMay's mother, father and stepmother outside the Marquette federal courthouse.

Jordan committed suicide after being the victim of a sextortion operation involving the Ogoshi brothers.

Marquette County investigators believe the popular high school student sent nude photos of himself on Instagram in exchange for photos that were sent to him. He thought he was talking to a teenage girl, but it was a trap.

The person on the other end of the line asked DeMay to send $1,000 or the photos would be sent to his family and friends. But DeMay could only raise $300. Hours later, he committed suicide.

“Samuel and Sampson Ogoshi were part of a scheme that even encouraged Jordan DeMay to commit suicide when he could no longer give them money,” Totten said.

According to court documents, this is the first time Nigerian nationals have been extradited to the United States to face trial in a sextortion operation.

“I think in some of these countries there has long been a sense that you can commit these crimes and escape justice. You can stalk victims, pretend to be someone you're not, demand money, encourage people to commit suicide and be virtually immune from justice. What happened today makes it very clear that if that day existed in the past, it no longer exists,” Totten said.

As part of victim impact statements, DeMay's relatives addressed the court Thursday, telling the defendants they stole more than money; they stole the family's joy.

“I think this day is for Jordan. And this day is for our community, and for all those people who dedicate their lives to serving us and protecting us. They deserve this victory,” said John DeMay, Jordan’s father.

In court, John DeMay looked at Samuel Ogoshi and said, “Goodbye. Enjoy your miserable life.”

Jordan's mother, Jennifer Buta, told the court that her son was her favorite person in the world and that all this hurt had taken him away from her. She went on to thank the community for all the support over the past two and a half years.

“I also want to thank everyone, including the media, for sharing the story and getting it out there. Through your help, speaking out and sharing Jordan’s story, we are making a difference. He will never be forgotten. And every day I know that his life and his story are saving another life,” Buta said.

It's a story Totten wants parents to remember as a warning.

“When we give our children a cell phone, we are potentially connecting them to criminal networks around the world. Our cell phones do amazing things, but we have to be careful,” Totten said.

A third Nigerian national, Ezekiel Robert, is also accused of involvement in the sextortion case that led to Jordan DeMay's death. A Nigerian court ordered Robert's extradition to the United States. He has appealed the decision and the case is before the Nigerian High Court.

As detailed in their plea agreements, Samuel and Samson Ogoshi engaged in a scheme while living in Nigeria to sexually exploit more than 100 victims, including at least 11 identified minor victims.

Totten also unsealed the federal indictment in a separate case against five defendants accused of facilitating the sextortion scheme.

The men from Georgia and another from Alabama are accused of controlling financial accounts designated for the project.

Prosecutors say they kept some of the victims' money and then converted the rest into bitcoin to send to an unindicted Nigerian co-conspirator, who then sent it to the sextortionists.

The five men are accused of laundering more than $178,000. They are charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.

A court appearance will be scheduled in Grand Rapids in the coming weeks.

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