Former Congressman Mel Reynolds Arrested In Zimbabwe
HARARE, Zimbabwe (CBS) -- Former Congressman Mel Reynolds – who spent time in prison for statutory rape and child pornography charges – has been arrested in Zimbabwe, suspected of making pornographic videos.
WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports Reynolds, 62, was arrested at his hotel in the capital of Harare, and was being investigated for alleged possession of pornography and a violation of immigration laws.
Zimbabwe's largest newspaper, the state-controlled Herald, quoted a former Reynods aide as saying Reynolds had shot pornographic videos with models and other women in his hotel room.
Another source told the paper Reynolds had filmed more than 100 videos, and shot 2,000 nude pictures of at least 10 different women on various occasions. The paper also said he owes more than $24,000 in unpaid hotel bills.
The Herald reported Reynolds entered Zimbabwe last year, purporting to be a middleman for foreign investors in the tourism industry.
Reynolds served as congressman of Illinois' 2nd District from 1993 until 1995, when he was convicted in a sex scandal involving an underage campaign worker. While serving that sentence, he was convicted of federal financial and campaign fraud charges. President Bill Clinton commuted his sentence to time served in 2001.
Reynolds unsuccessfully tried to reclaim his former congressional seat in 2012, under the campaign banner of Redemption.
