Citizen of Ghana pleads guilty to extortion charge

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Cross Abu Cole, 21, a citizen of Ghana, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to interstate communications with intent to extort, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that on October 30, 2022, Cole improperly accessed an individual’s (Victim) Snapchat account and obtained nude photographs that the Victim had stored in his Snapchat account. Cole sent a text message to the Victim, utilizing a Google Voice telephone number, demanding payment of $200. If payment was not made, Cole threatened to damage the reputation of the Victim by releasing the nude photographs to family and friends of the Victim. An initial payment of $200 via CashApp was made by the Victim as instructed but then he cancelled the payment. Subsequently, the Victim learned that some of his Snapchat contacts had received the nude photographs.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 12, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.   

# # # #