Peace Garden News

A federal grand jury has indicted Aly Cherif, a 23-year-old from the Ivory Coast, for his alleged involvement in a sextortion scheme that led to the death of a teenager from North Dakota. The charges include cyberstalking resulting in death, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, extortion, and distribution of child pornography.

According to an unsealed indictment, Cherif was part of a sextortion group operating from the Ivory Coast. The group targeted victims globally by threatening to release intimate photos or videos unless they paid money. This particular case involved using images of an attractive woman found online to create a fake Facebook profile under the name "Emily Thompson." The group then contacted the teenage victim through this account and coerced them into sharing explicit material.

The indictment alleges that when the minor victim couldn't pay, images were distributed on Facebook. Tragically, this led to the teenager's suicide. United States Attorney Mac Schneider emphasized their commitment to justice for the victim's family: "The indictment alleges greed, deception, and child exploitation that led to a heartrending tragedy."

Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. highlighted the risks children face online: "This case is a stark reminder of the dangers children face online, where predators use deception and technology to exploit the most vulnerable among us."

An indictment serves as an accusation; Aly Cherif remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

For those facing similar threats or seeking information on prevention measures against sextortion scams, resources are available through local FBI field offices and dedicated websites.

The investigation is being conducted by several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations with prosecution by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.