By CHRISTIE

MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Samuel Ogoshi, 22 and Samson Ogoshi, 20, two Nigerian men recently extradited in the Jordan DeMay sextortion case, were detained in the downstate Newaygo County Jail pending trial during a Friday bond hearing.

The Ogoshis were arraigned on Aug. 17 in the U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids. The Ogoshis, who are from Lagos, Nigeria, pleaded not guilty.

No trial date has been set.

The Ogoshis arrived on Aug. 13 at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport after having been extradited for their alleged roles that resulted in the death of DeMay, a 17-year-old Marquette Senior High School student.

Sextortion refers to the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity.

On March 25, 2022, DeMay was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which prompted an investigation by the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.

The Ogoshis are charged with multiple counts.

Count 1 charges Samuel Ogoshi with sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death in association with the death of DeMay. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and a statutory mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison.

Count 2 charges both men with conspiracy to sexually exploit minors by causing the minors to produce child pornographic images that the defendants then used to blackmail the minors. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.

Count 3 charges both men with conspiracy to distribute child pornography for sending the child pornography images to the minors, as well as their families and friends. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison.

Count 4 charges both men with conspiracy to commit stalking through the Internet for engaging in this sextortion scheme as it relates to both minors and young adults. The charge has a maximum penalty of five years in prison. All charges have provisions for fines, restitution and supervised release after their release from prison.

On May 3, Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western Michigan District, announced indictments for the Ogoshis as well as Ezekiel Ejehem Robert, 19, also of Lagos. It is anticipated that Robert will be extradited soon.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.