The two Nigerian men charged with sexual extortion leading to the death of a young man in Michigan pleaded not guilty Thursday.
Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, of Lagos, Nigeria, were extradited to the US on August 13 and faced a US judge the next day.
On August 17, the defendants were formally notified of the charges against them and pleaded not guilty.
The charges against the men stem from allegations that they sexually extorted a number of young men and teenage boys in the US.
Jennifer Buta, left, mother of Jordan DeMay leaves Western District of Michigan United States District Court, with her ex-husband John DeMay, center, and his current wife Jessica L Demay, right, after the trial in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Jordan DeMay shot himself in March 2022 after allegedly being blackmailed online by the Ogoshi brothers
Samuel Ogoshi (left), 22, and his younger brother Samson Ogoshi (right), 20, from Lagos, were flown to the US on Sunday after facing four charges of sexual exploitation of minors and causing the death of demei
US Attorney Mark Totten, one of the prosecutors on the case, said: “Today’s hearing is another step forward in the judicial process following the successful extradition of the Ogoshi brothers from Nigeria to the United States last Sunday.”
“My office is fully prepared to present the facts of the case in due process.”
The family of Jordan DeMay — the young man who fatally shot himself in 2022 after allegedly being blackmailed by the Ogoshis — looked tearful as they left the U.S. Courthouse for Michigan’s Western District after the hearing on Thursday.
The Ogoshi brothers were flown to the US on Sunday after facing four counts of sexual exploitation of minors and causing the death of Jordan DeMay.
DeMay, a high school student from Marquette, Michigan, was found dead in March 2022 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after three Nigerian men posed as a woman online and forced him to send explicit photos of themselves.
After the defendants tricked DeMay into sending nude photos, they demanded $1,000 or threatened to share it with friends and family.
Just six hours later on March 25, 2022, DeMay was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His last message was, ‘I’m killing myself now. By you.’
Samuel, Samson and Ezekiel Ejehem Robert, 19, all from Lagos, Nigeria, were charged in connection with DeMay’s death.
Before DeMay’s death, Samuel Ogoshi was charged with sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death.
Both brothers were charged with conspiracy to sexually exploit minors by causing the minors to produce child pornographic images which the defendants then used to blackmail the minors.
They were also charged with conspiracy to distribute child pornography and conspiracy to commit Internet stalking.
The tragedy sparked a major investigation involving Michigan authorities and the FBI to extradite the defendants in an unprecedented move.
The trio accessed a hacked Instagram account belonging to a woman named Dani. The suspect used it to contact DeMay.
DeMay allegedly told the Nigerian men that he was going to die by suicide because of the horror they inflicted on him.
John DeMay, Jordan DeMay’s father, watches outside the Western District of Michigan Court after Thursday’s court hearing
Jordan DeMay’s family outside the courthouse after Thursday’s hearing
Jennifer Buta, Jordan DeMay’s mother arrives at the Western District of Michigan United States District Court for the hearing in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Criminal defense attorney Julia Anne Kelly, right, for Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and his younger brother Samson Ogoshi, 20, of Lagos, who face quadruple charges of sexual exploitation of minors and causing the death of Jordan DeMay
The parents provided snippets of text conversations between DeMay and the blackmailers, it said NBC news.
“I have a screenshot of (for) all of your followers and tags. I can send these nudes to anyone and also send your nudes to your family and friends until it goes viral… All you have to do is cooperate with me and I won’t expose you,” said one scammer.
“Are you going to work with me… Just pay me now… and I won’t expose you,” he added.
They demanded $1,000, but DeMay said he only had $300 to send.
DeMay responded, “I’m killing myself right now.” By you.’
The men reportedly responded with, “Good…enjoy your miserable life.”
DeMay then committed suicide with a gun, according to federal attorney Mark Totten.
Samuel faces a minimum sentence of 30 years in prison if convicted, while Samson receives a minimum sentence of five years.
“Sextortion is a horrible crime,” said Totten.
“To those who commit these crimes, we will prosecute you all over the world. And for those who are victims, please know that we are ready to help you,” he continued.
“I am very pleased with how swiftly the extradition efforts have been made and I am grateful to the FBI and our Nigerian law enforcement partners for their unyielding work to ensure justice in this international investigation of sexual exploitation.”
“Financial sextortion is a global crisis affecting teens in our country and around the world,” said Devin J. Kowalski, acting FBI Special Agent in Michigan.
“As this case demonstrates, the FBI is committed to working closely with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to prevent young men and women from becoming victims of this tragic crime.”
Jordan DeMay, a star basketball player and soccer player, pictured with his mother Jennifer Buta
Samuel and Samson were arrested by authorities in Nigeria in January at the request of the US. On July 20, they were ordered to be handed over to US authorities to face charges.
Demay died just months before he was expected to graduate from Marquette Senior High School, where he played on multiple sports teams.
This tragic case is not an isolated one.
After DeMay’s death, the FBI warned parents and caregivers about increasing incidents of sextortion among young children and teens
According to their website, the FBI has recently seen an increase in financial sextortion cases targeting child victims.
In the past year, law enforcement agencies in the US have reported more than 7,000 cases of online sextortion involving minors, according to an NBC report, resulting in at least 3,000 victims, including more than a dozen who committed suicide.