Former US congressman arrested in Zimbabwe

Assistant Regional Immigration Officer Francis Mabika has confirmed the arrest former United States Congressman for Chicago Melvin Jay Reynolds for allegedly violating immigration laws and possessing pornographic material. 

Reynolds, who was in 1995 convicted on 12 counts of statutory rape, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography before he resigned from his seat in the USA, came into Zimbabwe last year as a middleman for foreign investors.

Its all gone sour though after Reynolds was picked up by police detectives and immigration officials at the Bronte Garden Hotel where he had also accumulated bills worth US$24 500 from his stay there and another unnamed hotel.

Mabika said “He has been picked up. Investigations are still underway and revealing information will jeopardise investigations that are underway,” he said.

State media reports quote an aide identified as Sunny, who claimed Reynolds was in possession of pornographic material he shot on different occasions while in the company of a model (name supplied) and several girls in his hotel rooms.

“His travel documents were not up to date and he used to bring beautiful women at different times. He employed five of us including a personal assistant and a driver. He currently has unpaid hotel bills of more than US$24 500 accrued at two local hotels,” he said.

Another closely placed source said Reynolds shot more than 100 pornographic videos and a further 2 000 nude pictures while he was in the company of at least 10 women including famous models.

“Reynolds entered Zimbabwe via Plumtree Border Post on November 13, where he was given a 14 day visa. The visa was later renewed and expired again on December 10 and he has been in the country illegally all along.

“He conducted the acts in the hotel rooms when he was guarded by four personal aides that were on his payroll,” he said.

Reynolds who was being escorted to a vehicle and was demanding his mobile phone and the laptop from the officials could be heard saying:

“It’s the way it is and I have been in this country 17 times where I have done a lot of work for the people including the fight against sanctions. I misplaced my passport but I found it implying that I am not certain if I breached immigration laws against this country.

“I am sure I will find out about that. They denied me my passport so that I can contact the United States Embassy which is a violation of international laws,” said Reynolds.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy, Karen Kelley, said the embassy could not comment as it was a private matter and the embassy did not did not have a privacy waiver.