Nigerian Sprinter Godson Oghenebrume Sentenced to 27 Months in U.S. Prison

BATON ROUGE, LA — Godson Oghenebrume, a 23-year-old Nigerian national and former Louisiana State University (LSU) track standout, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison following his conviction for illegal firearm possession.

​The sentencing, handed down by U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick, follows a high-profile case involving a domestic dispute at an apartment complex in Baton Rouge. Upon the completion of his prison term, Oghenebrume will be subject to removal or deportation from the United States.

​The Incident

​According to federal court records and admissions made during his plea, the charges stem from an incident on February 7, 2025. Oghenebrume, who was in the U.S. under an F-1 student visa, was at his residence when his ex-girlfriend—the mother of his infant child—arrived.

​The situation escalated into a heated argument outside the apartment. During the altercation, and while the infant was present, Oghenebrume discharged a Glock model 43X 9mm pistol. He briefly retreated into his apartment before a second confrontation occurred with the child’s mother. As she fled, Oghenebrume fired the weapon multiple times, leaving bullet strikes in the walls of the apartment complex.

​Before his eventual apprehension, Oghenebrume smashed the mother’s mobile phone and briefly took the child. A third party present at the scene eventually assisted the mother in retrieving the infant. When East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputies arrived, Oghenebrume discarded the firearm in nearby shrubs and attempted to walk away from law enforcement.

​During a post-Miranda interview with investigators, Oghenebrume admitted to discharging the firearm, claiming his intent was to “scare” the woman away.

​Legal Outcome and Context

​The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeremy S. Johnson and Lyman E. Thornton III. U.S. Attorney Kurt L. Wall, who announced the sentencing on June 30, 2026, commended the collaborative efforts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

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​The case was prosecuted under “Operation Take Back America,” a Department of Justice initiative focused on addressing violent crime and enforcing immigration regulations.

​Background

​Oghenebrume, a native of Ughelli, Nigeria, gained significant recognition as a track star at LSU. A former SEC 100m champion with a personal best of 9.90 seconds, he was once a prominent figure in collegiate athletics, representing Nigeria at the international level and serving as a key member of LSU’s record-breaking sprint teams. His legal troubles in 2025 effectively ended his tenure as a student-athlete in the United States.