The Nigerian man at the center of a sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of a South Carolina lawmaker's son has reached a plea deal with the federal government.
Court documents show Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal has agreed to plead guilty to one count of child pornography and one count of cyberstalking resulting in death that together carry a federal prison sentence of 15 to 20 years.
The plea deal, signed Nov. 5 by Lawal, his defense attorneys and the U.S. Attorney's Office of South Carolina, said Lawal will be subject to supervised release post-imprisonment and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Lawal was extradited to the United States last year for extorting Gavin Guffey, the 17-year-old son of state Rep. Brandon Guffey, R-York.
He originally was indicted on five charges and faced life imprisonment after the death penalty was removed as part of an agreement negotiated with the Nigerian government and Guffey's family.
Federal prosecutors say Lawal, who was 24 at the time of his extradition, posed as a teenage girl on social media and coerced Gavin to send compromising photos, then extorted and harassed him to send more money. Prosecutors say he also tried to extort Gavin's family members for money.
Gavin died by suicide in 2022.
The case gained national headlines and resulted in the bipartisan passage of a state law that stiffens penalties for sexual extortion. The law, signed by the governor in 2023, was named after Gavin.
Something you rarely see on a bill. Most SC House legislators stand in support of an emotional freshman Rep. Brandon Guffey, who is close to seeing his sextortion bill passed by the chamber. Guffey’s 17-year-old son died by suicide after he was a victim of a sextortion scam. pic.twitter.com/3lq2IK49OD
— Maayan Schechter (@MaayanSchechter) April 26, 2023
Guffey told SC Public Radio on Monday that regardless of the deal, nothing will bring his son back.
Guffey, who now works with other families who have been victims of similar schemes, added he hopes the sentence sets a precedent and sends a message that this behavior is unacceptable.
"I don't know that I'll ever be satisfied that he is still breathing after my son is not," he said.
A change of plea hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 10 before Judge Mary Geiger Lewis at the federal courthouse in Columbia, according to the federal court database.
Editor's Note: The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for anyone in crisis or for someone looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.
