Former Dem. Rep. Melvin Reynolds arrested in Zimbabwe

Updated 3:11 p.m. ET, 2/18/2014

Harare, Zimbabwe (CNN) - Authorities in Zimbabwe on Tuesday said they have arrested former U.S. Rep. Melvin Reynolds, accusing him of violating the country's immigration laws and possessing pornographic material.

"He is still in custody and will go to court as soon as possible - hopefully before Friday. For us he will answer allegations of flouting immigration laws," Francis Mabika, a senior Zimbabwe immigration official, told CNN. Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba had referred to Mabika all questions regarding Monday's arrest.

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Police sources said the former Democratic congressman refused to reveal passwords to encrypted files, which officials said contained pornographic material.

Reynolds reportedly entered Zimbabwe in November on a 14-day visa, which was only renewed once and has expired.

"We are aware of the reports of the detention of a U.S. citizen in Harare," said Karen Kellie, spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Harare. "Due to private considerations, we are unable to comment further."

Under Zimbabwe's constitution, a person must be taken to court within 48 hours of arrest unless police seek a court's warrant of further detention.

Reynolds was first elected to represent Illinois' 2nd Congressional District in 1992. He resigned three years later, shortly after his conviction on charges of criminal sexual assault, obstruction of justice and solicitation of child pornography in a case stemming from his relationship with a 16-year-old campaign worker.

Reynolds was convicted in 1997 for bank fraud and misusing campaign funds. After spending a couple of years in prison for the charges, former President Bill Clinton commuted Reynolds' sentence in 2001 on his last day in office.