Online Sextortion Led to Tragedy | Hattiesburg News

A Mississippi teen’s tragic death after an online sextortion scheme has sparked national outrage and legal action. Walker Montgomery, 16, died by suicide after being coerced into a sexual encounter that was recorded and threatened to be shared unless he paid — all within hours. The alleged perpetrator, Nigerian man Adebola Festus Adekumle, now faces federal charges including sexual exploitation of a minor resulting in death, child abuse material production, and interstate threats. Arrested in Nigeria in 2023 and extradited to the U.S. in late 2026, Adekumle entered a not guilty plea. His trial is set for October 19, 2026, in Aberdeen — with a potential 30-year mandatory minimum if convicted. In response, Mississippi lawmakers enacted the Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online Act, mandating age verification and parental consent for social media use to shield minors from digital predators. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0983fb65e0072edc