A Guatemalan man married to a man residing in Gadsden was taken into custody by law enforcement officers in December at a "check-in" for the immigrant's asylum case.
Brandon Rowell, 46, told a news source that his husband, Ronald, 32, is now in a Louisiana detention facility following his arrest. The couple's attorney is asking that Ronald not be deported back to Guatemala, alleging the country is not a "safe place" for gay men.
AL(dot)com reports that Rowell is a manager at a call center, without listing any other employment.
After further online examination, the Gadsden resident was found to be moonlighting as a gay romance author with books written for 10 to 18-year-olds. He has written works such as "Crossing Lines: Illegal Love," "Forbidden Love," "Forbidden Currents" and "Moonlit Desire."
Rowell's "Crossing Lines: Illegal Love" is about a homosexual ICE agent of Mexican heritage who falls in love with an illegal alien named Carlos.
In the story, the agent must decide between the Mexican national and enforcing immigration laws.
"Carlos risks everything to cross the border illegally in search of a future with Alejandro, but their love is threatened by the very system Alejandro enforces," the book description reads. "As the couple struggles to stay together in a country divided by immigration policies, Alejandro must choose between his career and the man he loves."
Despite their subject matter, the vast majority of Rowell's works are marked on Amazon as safe for children ages 10 to 18.
Ronald reportedly has an upcoming hearing in 2027 on his asylum claim.
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