United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken a 35-year-old Nigerian national, Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe, into custody following a disorderly conduct conviction in Pennsylvania.
Igbojekwe was initially arrested by police in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania, on September 27 after officers responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle parked on a residential street near a public park.
According to police, officers found Igbojekwe inside the vehicle drinking from a jug with his genitals exposed. He was subsequently charged with indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.
Court records show that Igbojekwe later pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct, while the indecent exposure charge and another disorderly conduct charge were withdrawn.
Following the conviction, ICE arrested him on October 1.
The US Department of Homeland Security said Igbojekwe was lawfully admitted into the United States in June 2017 but remained in the country after his authorised stay expired in November 2019. The department said he was subsequently granted deferred action in 2021.
US authorities also linked Igbojekwe to the campaign of Janelle Stelson, a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District, alleging that he had been working as a canvasser when the incident occurred.
However, the Stelson campaign has denied knowing or employing him, saying he had never worked for the campaign and that it was unaware of him before his arrest.
Igbojekwe remains in ICE custody as immigration authorities proceed with the case.