Godson Oghenebrume, a 22-year-old Nigerian national residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by an alien admitted to the United States under a non-immigrant visa. The plea was entered before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Kurt L. Wall.
Oghenebrume faces up to fifteen years in prison, a possible $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. He may also be subject to removal or deportation from the United States after serving his sentence.
According to information provided during the plea proceedings, on February 7, 2025, Oghenebrume possessed a Glock model 43X, 9mm pistol while he was in the country on an F-1 student visa.
The events leading up to his arrest began when Oghenebrume’s ex-girlfriend—who is also the mother of his infant child—arrived at his apartment with their baby. At that time, Oghenebrume was with another woman inside the apartment. An argument broke out between him and his ex-girlfriend outside the apartment during which he discharged the firearm while the baby was present.
After returning inside his apartment, another confrontation occurred when his ex-girlfriend entered and saw him with the other woman. The dispute continued outside and more shots were fired as she fled; bullet impacts were later found in nearby walls.
Oghenebrume then smashed her phone and took their child. His ex-girlfriend sought help from the other woman present at the scene who agreed and retrieved the child from Oghenebrume.
When deputies from East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrived at the complex, Oghenebrume walked away despite commands from law enforcement and discarded his pistol into some shrubs before being detained shortly afterward. A neighbor confirmed hearing gunshots and reported ringing ears as a result.
During questioning after being advised of his rights (Miranda warning), detectives asked why he had fired shots in the complex. He responded that he wanted his ex-girlfriend to leave and shot at her “to scare her away.”
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Lyman E. Thornton III are prosecuting this case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative focused on combating illegal immigration as well as targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations responsible for violent crime.
