Voynov
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov (right) moves the puck against Chicago Blackhawks right wing Kris Versteeg (left) during the first period at Staples Center. Voynov is in immigration custody after spending time in jail after a no contest plea in a domestic violence case. Reuters

Slava Voynov, defenseman for the National Hockey League's Los Angeles Kings, has been taken into custody by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a stint in jail, reported the Los Angeles Times. Russian citizen Voynov had been held in the Seal Beach Police Detention center since July 7 following a no contest plea to misdemeanor domestic violence charge.

“The individual came into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody Sept. 2 following his release by local authorities,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement, via Patch. “He will remain in ICE custody pending a hearing before an immigration judge. Mr. Voynov entered the U.S. in 2013 on a temporary visa for internationally recognized athletes.”

The agency did not allow a bond because of the violent nature of Voynov's case, a common move in situations where Immigration and Customs Enforcement feels the person poses a danger to the community or is a flight risk, reported the Times.

Voynov
Los Angeles Kings defender Slava Voynov is shown in this Redondo Beach Police Department booking photo released to Reuters Oct. 20, 2014. Reuters

The Kings have yet to comment on the development in the case. Voynov pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of corporal injury to a spouse after an altercation Oct. 20 with his wife, Marta Varlamova, which led to his suspension from the NHL. The 25-year-old caused a cut over his wife's left eye and red marks on her neck, according to trial testimony, via Yahoo!. It was said during the trial that Voynov pushed Varlamova to the ground a number of times and kicked and choked her three times. Redondo Beach police Officer Gregory Wiist testified during the trial that Varlamova said her husband punched her following an argument at a Halloween party, according to Patch.

Voynov received a 90-day sentence and three years of probation. Voynov had appeared at the Kings' facility as recently as Friday as a part of a work-release program allowed by his sentence. He now faces potential deportation. Experts told the Los Angeles Times that Voynov is in a bad legal position.

“An individual with crimes like domestic violence is not in great shape in immigration court,” said Teddy Chadwick, an immigration lawyer, to the Times. “He's in a tough spot.”

Voynov's probation report said that his wife suggested she is scared of her husband, that he is aggressive when drinking and that he had hit her before. Voynov has played in 190 NHL games since first appearing in the league during the 2011-2012 season.

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