HARARE, Zimbabwe, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Rep. Melvin Reynolds, D-Ill., has been deported from Zimbabwe after pleading guilty to breaking immigration laws, an official says.
He was taken from prison and put on a plane Sunday, leaving the country without being tried on charges of possession of pornography, the Herald in Harare reported Monday.
"I can confirm that Reynolds has left the country but for security reasons, I cannot tell you the time and the plane that he used," assistant regional immigration officer Francis Mabika said.
Reynolds' deportation was ordered Friday by a court in Harare. He was ordered to pay a $100 fine.
Authorities said Reynolds entered the country Nov. 13 on a two-week business visa, which was extended until Dec. 10. However, he failed to depart after the visa expired.
Reynolds was not prosecuted on allegations he possessed pornographic materials at the time of his arrest.
His attorney successfully argued the state had failed to receive authorization from the attorney general to proceed to trial on the charges.
Reynolds resigned from Congress in 1995 after he was convicted of charges of criminal sexual assault, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography.
