Nigerian sprinter Godson Oghenebrume, a former LSU track athlete, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison in the United States for possession of a firearm while admitted under a non-immigrant visa. The sentence was handed down by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick, as announced by U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall in a Department of Justice statement on June 30, 2026.
Incident Details and Conviction
Oghenebrume, 23, who resided in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by an alien admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa. According to admissions made during his plea, on February 7, 2025, he possessed a Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol while holding an F-1 student visa. The case originated from a complaint that led to an indictment.
On the night of February 7, 2025, Oghenebrume was in his apartment when his ex-girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived with the baby. Oghenebrume, who had been in the apartment with another young woman, went outside, and an argument ensued. During the argument, and while the baby was present, Oghenebrume discharged the firearm. He then returned to his apartment. Later, his ex-girlfriend opened the apartment door and saw Oghenebrume and the other woman in the living room, leading to another argument that moved outside. Oghenebrume discharged the firearm multiple times as the mother of his child fled. Bullet strikes were found in the apartment complex walls.
Aftermath and Arrest
Oghenebrume smashed his ex-girlfriend's phone and took the baby, who had been present throughout the incident. The ex-girlfriend then approached the other woman, who agreed to help retrieve the child from Oghenebrume. When East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies arrived, Oghenebrume walked away from them, ignoring commands, and discarded the Glock pistol into shrubs. He was detained shortly after. A neighbor confirmed hearing shots, stating his ears had been ringing. In a post-Miranda interview, Oghenebrume told detectives he had fired the gun to scare his ex-girlfriend away.
Legal Proceedings and Deportation
In addition to the prison term, Oghenebrume is subject to removal or deportation from the United States upon completion of his sentence. U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Lyman E. Thornton III led the prosecution. The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and violent crime.
