Nigerian extradited to South Carolina to face charges in teen ‘sextortion’ case

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC/WIS) – Federal prosecutors have extradited a Nigerian man accused in a sextortion case they say led to the death of a South Carolina teenager.

Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, 24, from Osun State, Nigeria, was charged with five counts: child exploitation resulting in death, production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and seduction of a minor, cyberbullying resulting in death, interstate threats with intent. racketeering and aiding/abetting, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors say Lawal also targeted the victim’s family in the harassment and extortion scheme.

Lawal is accused of attacking 17-year-old Gavin Guffey, the son of South Carolina Rep. Brandon Guffey, R-York.

Lawal allegedly posed as a young woman on social media and forced the teenager to send compromising photos. He then extorted and sent harassing messages to the teen, threatening to leak the photos and ruin his reputation unless the teen sent him money. Later, Lawal did the same with members of his family.

The teenager committed suicide in July 2022.

“Gavin seemed to bring joy to everyone,” his father said during a news conference Monday. “You didn’t meet anyone who didn’t have a story about Gavin. “It just lit up a room.”

As his family investigated his death, they discovered that Gavin had been communicating online with a stranger named Bellajane28, who was posing as a college volleyball player.

Lawal faces life in prison. One count can be sentenced to the death penalty. As part of an agreement between the US Attorney’s Office and the Nigerian government, the United States will not apply the death penalty.

He was extradited and brought to the United States on Saturday.

Lawal has pleaded “not guilty” to the charges filed, prosecutors say. The judge told Lawal that he “cannot think of any circumstances” that would persuade him to release Lawal.

“This indictment represents the culmination of countless hours of dedicated work done by our investigators both here and abroad,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Columbia Field Office Steve Jensen. “The defendant’s alleged actions are reprehensible and resulted in the tragic loss of a young man’s life. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to holding criminals accountable, especially those who attack our children and put their lives at risk, no matter where they are.”

Prosecutors say during the arraignment they discovered Lawal sent messages to six other minors under different usernames.

Messages found on Lawal’s phone showed communications between Gavin and Lawal where Gavin said he was “scared” and “(had) a gun in (his) lap.”

“We will not allow predators who prey on our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina Adair Boroughs. “Today we honor Gavin’s life and continue our fight against sextortion by holding this defendant accountable.”

After his son’s death, Guffey worked with state legislators to pass Gavin’s Lawwhich made sexual extortion, commonly known as “sextortion,” a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison in South Carolina.

Governor Henry McMaster signed the law in 2023.

The defendant has a detention hearing scheduled for 2 pm on February 3.

EDITOR’S NOTE: If you or someone you know needs help, the US National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

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