Federal prosecutors closed an extortion case after a young man admitted to threatening to expose private photos unless he was paid.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Cross Abu Cole, 21, a citizen of Ghana, received a sentence of time served — about seven months — after his conviction for interstate communications with intent to extort. A federal judge also ordered that Cole be turned over to the Department of Homeland Security.
Prosecutors said the case stems from an incident on Oct. 30, when Cole improperly accessed another person’s Snapchat account and obtained nude photographs stored there.
Investigators said Cole then contacted the victim using a Google Voice number and demanded $200. Prosecutors said he threatened to damage the victim’s reputation by sending the images to family and friends if the payment was not made.
The victim initially sent $200 through CashApp but later canceled the payment, authorities said. Afterward, the victim learned that some of his Snapchat contacts had already received the photos.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango handled the prosecution.
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