The suspects were extradited on Thursday and now face charges including sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, production of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort. Adekunle faces a maximum penalty of life in prison, with a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years on the child exploitation resulting in death charge. Olawale faces charges including sexual exploitation of minors, coercion and enticement of minors, and distribution of child pornography.
Sextortion is a form of online blackmail where cybercriminals threaten victims with leaking nude images and videos they stole through hacking or obtained through coercion. In some cases, criminals may sell the stolen content on criminal marketplaces or share victims' personal information with other criminals.
FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement, "Adekunle is charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, the production of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort – and Olawale is charged with offenses relating to sexual exploitation of minors, coercion and enticement of minors, distribution of child pornography, and more. They've been overseas for three years, but this FBI and our DOJ partners went and got them. Sextortion is a heinous crime targeting innocent people, often young children - and this FBI will stop at nothing to pursue every single individual who harms vulnerable Americans."
The FBI has previously warned of a massive increase in sextortion complaints, advising those receiving threats to contact law enforcement as soon as possible.