A United States District Court has sentenced a 27-year-old Nigerian, Afeez Olatunji Adewale, to five years in prison for his role in a sextortion scheme that led to the death of a young man in Pennsylvania, bringing to a close the prosecution of all three suspects linked to the case.
The sentence was handed down on Tuesday by United States District Judge Joel H. Slomsky, who also ordered Adewale to serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term. He had pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud following his extradition from Nigeria earlier this year.
Announcing the sentencing, United States Attorney David Metcalf said the successful prosecution demonstrated the determination of U.S. authorities to pursue online criminals regardless of where they operate.
“All three defendants have finally been brought to justice,” Metcalf said.
“I hope that their arrests, extradition, and prosecution make clear that the DOJ will go after those terrorising our young people — no matter where the scammers and sextortionists may be. Though this case is now closed, our thoughts will remain with a family and community forever changed.”
Adewale was arrested in Nigeria on August 17, 2023, during a joint operation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Nigerian authorities targeting online sextortion syndicates preying on victims in the United States.
He was extradited to the U.S. in February 2026 with the support of Nigeria’s Attorney General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice’s International Criminal Justice Cooperation Department, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the FBI Legal Attaché in Abuja. He later pleaded guilty in April.
Reacting to the conviction, FBI Philadelphia Special Agent in Charge Wayne A. Jacobs said the sentence sends a strong message to cybercriminals operating beyond U.S. borders.
“Today’s sentencing illustrates criminals cannot evade justice, even outside of our borders,” Jacobs said.
“This final sentencing is the result of diligent investigative work and close coordination with our domestic and international law enforcement partners. This case is a testament to the FBI’s unwavering commitment to pursuing those who exploit others online, regardless of where they operate.”
He added:
“Most importantly, today’s sentence represents our continued commitment to seeking justice for victims and their loved ones. Let today’s sentencing send a clear message: alongside our partners here and abroad, the FBI remains committed to identifying, locating, and bringing to justice those who prey on our communities.”
Also commenting on the case, Chief Patrick Molloy of the Abington Township Police Department praised the collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies.
“The capabilities of local police departments to expand an investigation beyond the borders of the U.S. is extremely limited. We must rely on the expertise of the FBI and other federal law enforcement partners, which is exactly what occurred in this case,” Molloy said.
“We are grateful for the federal agents and prosecutors who worked so hard to bring those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. This could have been anyone’s child, and while this prosecution may provide some measure of relief, the pain and suffering for this family will never go away.”
Adewale was the last of three Nigerian suspects convicted in connection with the deadly sextortion conspiracy.
His co-defendant, Samuel Olasunkanmi Abiodun, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in June 2025.
Another co-defendant, Imoleayo Samuel Aina, also known as “Alice Dave,” pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including cyberstalking, interstate threats, receiving proceeds of extortion, money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. He was sentenced to six years in prison in October 2025.
The case was jointly investigated by the FBI Philadelphia’s Fort Washington Resident Agency and the Abington Township Police Department, while Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Brown prosecuted the matter.
