A 23-year-old Nigerian, Godson Oghenebrume, has been sentenced to 27 months in a U.S. federal prison after being convicted of illegally possessing a firearm while in the country on a non-immigrant student visa.
The sentence was handed down by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly Dick, while U.S. Attorney Kurt Wall announced on Tuesday that Oghenebrume will also face deportation proceedings after completing his prison term.
Oghenebrume, a former Louisiana State University track athlete, admitted during his guilty plea that he possessed a Glock 43X 9mm pistol on February 7, 2025, despite being in the United States under an F-1 student visa.
According to court documents, the incident occurred that night when his former girlfriend, who is also the mother of his infant child, arrived at his Baton Rouge apartment with the baby.
Prosecutors said Oghenebrume, who was inside the apartment with another woman, stepped outside, where he got into an argument with his ex-girlfriend. During the confrontation, he allegedly fired a gunshot while the infant was nearby.
The dispute reportedly continued after both parties returned to the apartment, before spilling outside again. Authorities said Oghenebrume fired several more shots as the woman fled, leaving multiple bullet holes in the walls of the apartment complex.
Investigators further alleged that he smashed his ex-girlfriend’s phone and took custody of their baby during the incident. The other woman later intervened and successfully retrieved the child after the child’s mother sought her assistance.
When deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, Oghenebrume allegedly ignored their commands, walked away and threw the Glock pistol into nearby bushes before he was arrested.
A neighbour later told investigators they heard multiple gunshots and said the loud blasts left their ears ringing.
