Washington County, TN – Two people arrested in late 2023 following a Washington County extortion investigation were sentenced Tuesday in federal court, concluding a multistate scam that officials say contributed to the suicide of a Jonesborough man.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the case began in fall 2023 when investigators uncovered a gift-card and email extortion scheme tied to the victim, who died in October 2023. Sheriff Keith Sexton said the victim sent more than $87,000 in gift cards and checks — and likely over $100,000 total — before taking his own life.
According to investigators, New Jersey residents Chinagorom Onwumere, 34, and Salma Abdalkareem, 27, were identified through email, text, and financial records. WCSO charged the pair in 2023 with multiple counts of extortion, financial exploitation of an elderly/vulnerable person, theft over $60,000, and criminal impersonation. A search warrant executed in New Jersey led to their arrest that November.
WCSO later transferred the investigation to Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division. Authorities say Onwumere and Abdalkareem allegedly participated in romance scams under the direction of Stephen Anagor, whom Onwumere met during military training in South Carolina.
Federal prosecutors say the group targeted “multiple victims across the United States,” using the identities of celebrities and even a former U.S. Attorney General to collect money from victims.
On Dec. 2, 2025, Onwumere was sentenced to 51 months, Abdalkareem to 84 months, and Anagor to 108 months in federal prison. All were ordered to supervised release following incarceration, and they must repay victims $388,500 in restitution.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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