Nigerian brothers convicted of involvement in sextortion ring that led to teenager's death

MARQUETTE, Michigan (WLUC/Gray News) – Two Nigerian brothers accused of sexual abuse that led to the death of a Michigan teenager were sentenced to prison in a federal prison Thursday.

Samuel Ogoshi and Samson Ogoshi, both of Lagos, Nigeria, were sentenced Thursday morning by U.S. District Judge Robert J. Jonker.

Both pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to sexually exploit a minor. “Sextortion,” or sexual extortion, is the practice of extorting money or sexual favors from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activities.

Both brothers were sentenced to 17 1/2 years in federal prison each.

Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, of Lagos, Nigeria, were charged with sexually extorting numerous young men and teenagers in the Western District of Michigan and throughout the United States. Samuel Ogoshi was also charged with allegedly leading to the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Marquette, Michigan.(WLUC)

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten and Jordan Demay's parents spoke shortly after the hearings concluded, which will be streamed live here.

It has been over two years since 17-year-old Marquette teenager DeMay committed suicide after becoming involved in the sextortion plot.

DeMay's parents say now is the time to take action to protect children and the community and honor their son, Jordan DeMay.

Since then, his parents and the police have been working not only to find those responsible for the events of that evening, but also to bring his story to the public.

“Jordan was larger than life, wasn't he? So when I think about his story changing lives around the world, I think of course he did. Of course he did, because that's who he is, he's big,” said Jordan's mother Jennifer Buta.