Indian authorities have detained Jordan Brown, a 36-year-old American citizen, near the India-Nepal border in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj district. Brown, who claims to be a former US Navy and Special Forces serviceman, was arrested on July 11 while attempting to enter Nepal without a passport, visa, or any other valid travel documentation.
Apprehension and Interrogation
Personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) apprehended Brown during a routine border patrol near Sonauli. According to authorities, Brown initially tried to flee when stopped for document verification. Upon his arrest, officers recovered Rs 31,460 in cash and two mobile phones from his possession, but no travel documents were found.
SSB Assistant Commandant Priya Yadav confirmed that Brown underwent questioning by the SSB and multiple security agencies before being handed over to local police for legal proceedings. Maharajganj Additional Superintendent of Police Siddharth stated that Brown allegedly entered India by sea in November 2025 and had been residing in Goa since then. Brown claimed he lost his passport in Thailand, then traveled to Sri Lanka by sea before reaching India.
Inconsistent Accounts and Legal Action
Investigators noted significant inconsistencies in Brown's statements regarding his identity, travel history, and the purpose of his trip to Nepal. Sonauli SHO Mahendra Mishra reported that Brown gave contradictory accounts, including claims of studying at the University of California and serving six years in the US Navy and Special Forces before leaving two years prior. He also stated both his parents had passed away.
Regarding his travel, Brown reportedly told police he arrived in Goa from the US about two months ago, then traveled by bus to Lucknow and Gorakhpur before hiring a taxi to the Sonauli border. His stated reason for going to Nepal was to meet a Nepalese national named "Naz," whom he claimed to have met in Goa. Brown also claimed an acquaintance in Bengaluru held his passport but could not provide verifiable details. Additionally, he asserted he married an Indian woman from Uttarakhand in October 2024, whom he met in Italy three years earlier, and that she works as a yoga instructor.
Authorities have registered a case against Brown under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. His version of events remains under verification, and the US Embassy has been informed of his arrest. Brown has since been sent to jail as legal proceedings continue.
Broader Context
This arrest follows a similar incident months prior in March, where another American, Matthew VanDyke, was detained near the Myanmar border along with six Ukrainian nationals. VanDyke, described as a former CIA asset, is currently held in Delhi's Tihar Jail.