Godson Oghenebrume, a 22-year-old Nigerian track and field athlete residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a non-immigrant alien in the United States. The plea was entered before U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick, according to a statement released by U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall through the Department of Justice (DOJ) on December 3, 2025.
As a result of his guilty plea, Oghenebrume faces:
- Up to 15 years in prison
- A fine of up to $250,000
- Up to three years of supervised release
- Potential deportation after serving his sentence
Details of the Incident
The charges stem from an incident on February 7, 2025, when Oghenebrume allegedly discharged a firearm during an argument with his ex-girlfriend in the presence of their infant child. The confrontation escalated when the ex-girlfriend followed him into his apartment, prompting more gunfire.
According to the DOJ, Oghenebrume later smashed his ex-girlfriend’s phone and took their child before law enforcement arrived. Upon deputies’ arrival, he reportedly ignored commands and discarded the firearm, later identified as a Glock 43X 9mm pistol, into nearby shrubs. He was subsequently detained.
Oghenebrume admitted to investigators that he fired the weapon in an attempt to intimidate his ex-girlfriend.
Firearm Possession Charge
The DOJ explained that Oghenebrume possessed the Glock pistol while in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa. The incident escalated further when his ex-girlfriend discovered him with another woman, prompting a heated argument that spilled outside, during which additional shots were fired.
The DOJ statement detailed:
“During this argument, and while the baby was present, Oghenebrume discharged the firearm. Later, the argument continued inside the apartment, leading to more gunfire as the mother of his child fled.”
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Homeland Security Investigations
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Lyman E. Thornton III. The case forms part of Operation Take Back America, a DOJ initiative targeting illegal firearms, organized crime, and violent crime nationwide.
Background
Oghenebrume, the brother of Olympic bronze medalist Ese Brume, was admitted to Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2021. While he had shown promise as a track and field athlete, his career has now been overshadowed by legal troubles resulting from the February 2025 incident.
