A Nigerian man has been extradited to the United States after facing charges in connection with a tragic sextortion case that resulted in the death of a South Carolina teenager. Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal, a 24-year-old from Osun State, Nigeria, has been indicted on multiple counts, including child exploitation resulting in death, 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 and abetting.
The case revolves around the death of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey from Rock Hill, South Carolina, who took his own life in July 2022 after falling victim to Lawal’s alleged scheme. It was revealed that Lawal posed as a young woman on social media and persuaded the teenager to send compromising photos. Subsequently, Lawal sent threatening messages, coercing the teen to send money under the threat of leaking the photos and tarnishing his reputation.
In a poignant turn of events, Lawal repeated this scheme with members of Guffey’s family, causing further distress to the grieving relatives. U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina emphasized the importance of holding predators like Lawal accountable, stating, “We will not allow predators who target our children to hide behind a keyboard or across the ocean.”
Brandon Guffey, Gavin’s father and South Carolina Republican state representative, recounted the harrowing ordeal his son endured on Instagram, where he was manipulated into sharing photos and coerced into sending money. Tragically, Gavin succumbed to the pressure and took his own life, leaving his family devastated.
The FBI Columbia Field Office’s Special Agent in Charge, Steve Jensen, condemned Lawal’s actions as reprehensible, leading to the tragic loss of a young life. Jensen affirmed the agency’s commitment to bringing criminals to justice, especially those who target vulnerable children.
If convicted, Lawal could face a life sentence, with a mandatory minimum of 30 years for the charge of child exploitation resulting in death. Additionally, the court may order Lawal to pay restitution to cover the losses incurred by the family due to his alleged scheme.
This heart-wrenching case sheds light on the dangers of online exploitation and the devastating impact it can have on families. It serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required to protect our children in the digital age.
