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A Nigerian man, Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to the sextortion of South Carolina teen Gavin Guffey, who tragically died by suicide in 2022. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina announced the extradition on Monday.
Lawal allegedly posed as a young woman online, coercing 17-year-old Guffey into sending explicit photos. When Guffey complied, Lawal reportedly demanded money and threatened to publicly release the compromising images if he didn’t pay. According to court documents, Lawal also sent harassing messages to Guffey’s family, further amplifying the emotional toll on the teen and his loved ones.
Guffey’s death prompted his father, South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey, to champion "Gavin’s Law," legislation that classifies sexual extortion as a felony in the state. The law introduces harsher penalties, including an aggravated felony designation if the victim is a minor or if the crime results in injury or death. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed the bill into law in August 2023.
A federal grand jury indicted Lawal in October 2023 on multiple charges, including child exploitation resulting in death, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking leading to death, and extortion-related offenses. The FBI, in collaboration with Nigerian law enforcement, took Lawal into custody in Lagos and brought him to Columbia, South Carolina, where he was arraigned in federal court.
U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs emphasized the commitment to holding predators accountable: “We will not allow predators who target our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean. Today we honor Gavin’s life and continue our fight against sextortion by holding this defendant accountable.”
If convicted, Lawal could face a life sentence, including a mandatory minimum of 30 years for child exploitation resulting in death. He may also be required to pay restitution to the Guffey family for the suffering caused by his actions.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. The collaboration between U.S. and Nigerian authorities highlights the global effort to combat online crimes targeting vulnerable individuals.
Source: NBCNews.com
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