Adrian
SAVANNAH, GA – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), have apprehended ORVILLE ANDREW PERNELL, a 32-year-old Jamaican national wanted in connection with a 2020 murder in St. Lucia. The arrest marks the end of a multinational manhunt for the fugitive, who had escaped custody twice in the Caribbean.
Pernell was captured on April 4 in Savannah, Georgia, following an extensive investigation led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and ATF special agents. ICE officials confirmed that Pernell is accused of committing a brutal murder in St. Lucia and had evaded law enforcement for several years.
In a post on X, HSI Atlanta announced, “After a long run from justice, he’s finally back in custody and facing the consequences,” alongside an image of the suspect.
Pernell initially escaped custody in St. Lucia during his murder trial and fled to Jamaica. In 2021, he was arrested in Jamaica but managed to escape detention once again. Authorities revealed that U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered Pernell on December 7, 2022, near San Ysidro, California, after he attempted to enter the United States using a fake identity. He was paroled into the country and issued a notice to appear.
In July 2023, Pernell was arrested by the Clayton County Sheriff in Georgia for possessing a stolen motorcycle and attempting to evade arrest. During the arrest, police discovered a stolen 9mm handgun in his possession.
The fugitive was finally located and arrested in the Savannah area by agents from multiple agencies. He was taken into custody without incident and now faces charges of being an alien in possession of a weapon. Upon completion of legal proceedings in the U.S., Pernell will be extradited to St. Lucia to stand trial for murder.
STEVEN N. SCHRANK, Special Agent in Charge of ICE HSI Atlanta, stated, “We are committed to tracking down fugitives who pose a serious threat to public safety, no matter where they may try to hide. This operation highlights our ongoing work to dismantle criminal networks and bring violent individuals to justice. We are thankful for our local, state, and international law enforcement partners who helped us secure this arrest.”
This arrest underscores the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies across borders to ensure that individuals accused of violent crimes face accountability for their actions.
**Sources**:
[ICE Official Statement](https://www.ice.gov)
[Clayton County Sheriff’s Office](https://www.claytonsheriff.com)
[HSI Atlanta on X](https://twitter.com/HSIAtlanta)
