Nigerian man indicted for sextortion scheme that led to SC teen’s suicide

CHARLOTTE — A man from Nigeria is behind bars after the FBI says he extorted a local lawmaker’s son into sending him explicit photos.

South Carolina Rep. Brandon Guffey’s son died by suicide in 2022.

U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs said the suspect, 24-year-old Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, posed as a college girl and asked for explicit photos from Guffey’s son.

After he sent them, Lawal threatened to release the photos online. Guffey’s son, Gavin died by suicide.

The indictment says Lawal used two Instagram accounts – one to communicate with Gavin. When Instagram deactivated that account following Gavin’s death, feds say Lawal created a new account to try to extort the family.

Just two weeks after Gavin’s funeral, Guffey received a message on Instagram from an unknown account with a laughing emoji. Guffey said family members on Gavin’s followers list received similar messages.

Guffey said one of the messages read, “Did I tell you your son begged for his life?”

The indictment says both Instagram accounts had the same Nigerian phone number on file.

Nigeria officials matched that phone number to bank records to identify the suspect.

“It’s like identifying a subject in any investigation,” Steve Jensen, with the FBI, said. “There’s a bread trail left behind by every suspect. Digital dust if you will.”

The five-count federal indictment charged Lawal with child exploitation resulting in death, the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking resulting in death, interstate threats with intent to extort, and aiding/abetting.

Officials said the indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in S.C. in October 2023. On Friday, following extradition proceedings in Nigeria, agents with the FBI Columbia Field Office took custody of Lawal in Lagos, Nigeria.

Investigators have a warning.

“We will not allow predators who target our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean,” Boroughs said. “This investigation and extradition are the result of tremendous law enforcement coordination both in the United States and Nigeria. We’re grateful to the many agencies who helped make this day possible.”

York County Sheriff Tony Breedan said there is a battle to be won.

“We have drawn a line in the sand in the battle of good and evil for our children. I think the message we said early on was we will hunt someone down to the ends of the earth if they hurt our kids,” said Breedan.

Leading the charge

Since then, Guffey has led the charge against sextortion.

A bill he introduced was passed into law in 2023, and it increases penalties for anyone trying to extort someone over their intimate photos or data.

Channel 9′s Joe Bruno was in federal court in Columbia Monday and said that as a condition of extradition, the U.S. agreed to not pursue the death penalty.

‘Hold him accountable’

Guffey left the federal courthouse with a photo of his late son Gavin.

“I can’t save Gavin but I can hope to save other kids in pushing forward,” Guffey said.

He says the arrest is a step toward justice and more needs to be done.

“We brought Lawal here to hold him accountable for his crimes and we will continue to fight to not only save kids like Gavin but to save additional kids that might feel like Gavin did,” Guffey said.

‘Can no longer hide’

Federal authorities also have a warning.

“You can no longer hide in the basement of a faraway country without fear of being arrested, extradited and brought here to face the families of those you have torn apart,” said Chief Mark Keel, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

‘Can no longer hide’: Nigerian man indicted for sextortion scheme that led to SC teen’s suicide

Investigators believe the suspect was working with at least one other person so more arrests are possible in the future. They traveled to Nigeria last week to bring Lawal here and say there is no limit to where they will go to get justice.

Lawal now faces up to life in prison, and mandatory minimum prison sentences on multiple counts, officials said.

Check wsoctv.com for the latest.

(WATCH BELOW: SC Gov signs sextortion bill after death of representative’s son)

SC Gov signs sextortion bill after death of representative’s son

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