Honk News (Columbia, SC) – South Carolina Rep. Brandon Guffey was filled with intense anger upon encountering the individual he holds responsible for his son’s tragic death.
The suspect has been brought from Nigeria to the US this past weekend, facing allegations of involvement in a sexual extortion scheme that tragically resulted in the death of 17-year-old Gavin Guffey. On Monday, in Columbia, South Carolina, the Nigerian faced the court, marking a significant moment for Brandon Guffey, who had been seeking justice for his son for over two years.
The 24-year-old man named Hassanbunhussein Abolore Lawal reportedly avoided making eye contact, according to Guffey. Lawal maintained a lowered gaze, seemingly steering clear of eye contact with his family, he remarked. In a disturbing case of manipulation, Lawal reportedly posed as a young woman on social media and shared explicit images with Gavin.
The individual requested comparable images of himself, and after Gavin provided the photos, the suspect issued a threat to release them unless payment was made, according to the Justice Department. He has entered a plea of not guilty to various serious charges, including child exploitation leading to death, distribution of child sexual abuse material, coercion and enticement of a minor, cyberstalking, making interstate threats with the intent to extort, and aiding or abetting, as stated in court documents.
During the hearing on Monday, Guffey sported a black T-shirt featuring the love symbol <3. This marks the final message Gavin shared with his family on July 27, 2022, just moments before he took his own life in a bathroom at their residence in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Guffey stated that he needed to sign documents affirming he would not advocate for the death penalty in order to secure the Nigerian government’s approval for the extradition. Last week, he was taken aback when he received a call from federal investigators informing him that the extradition had been granted and they were en route to collect Lawal.
Authorities have verified that he arrived in Columbia on Saturday. During a press conference, officials refrained from disclosing specifics about the methods used to trace the suspect to Nigeria or if additional suspects were implicated. Certain court documents related to the case remain confidential.
Lawal could potentially spend the rest of his life behind bars, as the charge related to child exploitation that led to a fatal outcome comes with a minimum sentence of 30 years. A court could additionally mandate that he compensate the Guffey family for the losses they suffered due to the scheme.