Nigerian man extradited to U.S. in sextortion case tied to Mississippi teen’s death

OXFORD, Miss. —

The Justice Department announced that a man from Nigeria has been extradited to the United States to face prosecution in an indictment for the financially motivated sextortion of a Mississippi minor, which lead to the victim’s death.

Adebola Festus Adekunle, 26, of Lagos, Nigeria, is charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, coercion and enticement of a minor, and interstate threats with intent to extort.

He appeared in federal court in Oxford, Mississippi, for an initial appearance Friday.

Walker Montgomery, 16, took his own life in 2022 after someone tried to blackmail him via social media to pay them or face having pictures of him sent to family and friends.

Adekunle was arrested in Nigeria on Aug. 14, 2023, as part of a larger operation with the FBI to apprehend sexual extortionists targeting minors in the United States.

He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and mandatory minimum prison sentences on at least two charges. The child exploitation resulting in death charge carries a minimum penalty of 30 years in prison.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch released a statement following Adekunle’s arraignment saying in part, “Walker Montgomery should be here with us today. He should be moving into his dormitory, meeting up with friends, and running to class. That he is not is a tragedy. And it is because of the criminal acts of someone halfway around the world – someone who has been brought to the United States now to stand trial for his actions. This trial cannot bring back Walker and the Montgomery Family will always hurt. But I hope that today they get some closure, and some assurances that Walker will get justice.”