By james art 
In the first for the state of South Carolina, on Monday, a Nigerian man, extradited to the United States over the weekend, was appointed on charges of five in a sexual case, which led to the death of the 17-year-old son of Rock Hill, who.
Federal prosecutors have accused 24-year-old Hasanbunhusin Anulore Lowul of being a teenager on social media and forcing Gavin Guffy to send compromising photos, and then blackmail and harass more money.
Gavin died in 2022 from a self -inflicted firearm wound.
Prosecutors said Loal continues to blackmail Gavin’s family, including his brother.
Lawal appeared in the Colombia Federal Court on Monday, carrying a bright orange overalls from the prison chained to the wrists and ankles. He was accompanied by American marshals.
Judge of American magistrate Shiva Hodges read Lowl his accusations, which include the exploitation of children, leading to death that bears a mandatory 30-year sentence.
Lawal issued a legal basis not to be guilty after being appointed a public defender.
It will continue to behave without a guarantee. His next court hearing is Monday.
Loal faces life in prison after the death penalty was removed from the table, part of an agreement agreed with the Nigerian government and the victim’s family.
“I cannot come up with any set of circumstances that would convince me to release you in this case (in a Monday detention),” Hodges told Lawal, which has no housing or income.
The facts in this case, said Hodges, is “every nightmare of every parent.”
Gavin brought joy to everyone, his father, state -owned Brandon Guffy told reporters.
He would do costumes and wear them to school, Guffy said.
Gavin loved art, music and movies, and he “bombarded” everything, he added.
He went to the rhythm of his own drum, Guffy said.
“Gavin just lit a room,” Guffy said.
The case of Gavin, although perhaps unique to South Carolina, is not unique on a national scale.
In 2024, two Nigerian men were sentenced to prison for a sexual blackmail scheme, which led to the death of 1722 of 17-year-old Jordan Demei. Like Gavin’s story, the two men demanded explicit images of Demay and threatened to release the photos to get money.
Guffy said he knew about many other cases.
In 2023, Gufi successfully adopted Gavin’s law to consolidate the penalties for sexual extortion.
“Sextortion claims too many young lives. And I would like to say to the public, we need your help,” said US South Carolina lawyer Adair Ford Boros on Monday. “Parents and careful care, please start this conversation with your children. Predators are on social media platforms, they are on game sites, they are online, in chat rooms. Everywhere you can communicate with people on the Internet, they will find predators. ”
Editor’s note: Silenting suicide and the 988 crisis is a hot line for anyone in a crisis or for someone who wants to help someone else. To talk to a trained listener call 988. Visit 988Lifeline.org for Crisis Chat Services or for more information.
This is a developing story. It will be updated.