Samuel Ogoshi, Sex Trafficking, Michigan 2023

Two Nigerian men, Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, of Lagos, Nigeria, have been extradited to the United States to face prosecution for their alleged involvement in an international sex trafficking ring.

The indictment alleges that the two men used social media to pose as young women and lure teenage and young adult males into sexual chats. They allegedly bought hacked social media accounts and used them to blackmail their victims into producing child pornographic images.

According to the indictment, Samuel Ogoshi was also charged with causing the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Marquette, Michigan in March 2022.

Samuel Ogoshi is charged with four counts, including Sexual Exploitation and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Resulting in Death, Conspiracy to Sexually Exploit Minors, Conspiracy to Distribute Child Pornography, and Conspiracy to Commit Stalking Through the Internet.

The charges carry the following penalties: up to life in prison and a statutory mandatory minimum of 30 years for Count 1, up to 30 years and a mandatory minimum of 15 years for Count 2, up to 20 years and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years for Count 3, and up to five years for Count 4.

The two men were arrested in Nigeria in January 2023, at the request of the United States. Nigerian prosecutors managed the extradition proceedings on behalf of the US. They were ordered to be turned over to the US on July 20, and the final surrender order was signed on August 3.

Their initial appearance is scheduled to take place on Monday afternoon at the federal courthouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten stated, “Sextortion is a horrible crime. To those who commit these crimes: we will pursue you around the world. And to those who are victims: please know we stand ready to help you.”

Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, added, “Financial sextortion is a global crisis that impacts teens in our country and around the world. 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.”

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