BISMARCK — An Ivory Coast man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for participating in a sextortion scheme which caused the death of a North Dakota teenager, according to U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider’s office.

Schneider announced the indictment on Wednesday of Aly Cherif, 23, on charges of cyberstalking, resulting in death, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, extortion and distribution of child pornography.

The unsealed indictment alleges Cherif and other individuals located in the Ivory Coast participated in a well-organized sextortion group that targeted victims throughout the world. Cherif and his group allegedly targeted a N.D. teenager with a fraudulent social media account posing as a woman who lived in Montana named “Emily Thompson.” The sextortion group obtained a video recording and photographs of the teenage victim and used extortion tactics to attempt to force the teenage victim to pay money so “Emily Thompson” would not release the content.

When the teenage victim informed them that they did not have any money, the sextortion group distributed images of the victim’s private parts on social media. The teenage victim committed suicide shortly thereafter.

“The United States Attorney’s Office and our partners in law enforcement are committed to obtaining a measure of justice for this family,” Schneider said. “The indictment alleges greed, deception, and child exploitation that led to a heartrending tragedy. As we pursue justice in this case, we want to deter similar conduct and remind kids and families that help is available if they become victims of sextortion.”

The case is being investigated by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.

To report a sextortion scam, contact a local FBI field office at 1-800-CALL-FBI.