SAVANNAH, Ga. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have apprehended ORVILLE ANDREW PERNELL, a 32-year-old Jamaican citizen, wanted in connection with a brutal 2020 murder in St. Lucia. The arrest, made on April 4 in Savannah, Georgia, capped an extensive multinational investigation and manhunt involving ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
PERNELL had been on the run for several years after escaping custody twice—first during his murder trial in St. Lucia and later after being arrested in Jamaica in 2021. His capture marks a significant victory for law enforcement agencies working across borders to bring him to justice.
“After a long run from justice, he’s finally back in custody and facing the consequences,” HSI Atlanta stated in a post on X, sharing an image of PERNELL. “We are committed to tracking down fugitives who pose a serious threat to public safety, no matter where they may try to hide,” said STEVEN N. SCHRANK, ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge for Atlanta, who also oversees Georgia and Alabama.
PERNELL’s criminal trail continued in the United States, where he attempted to enter the country on December 7, 2022, near San Ysidro, California, using a fake identity. After being paroled into the U.S. and issued a notice to appear, he was arrested in Clayton County, Georgia, in July 2023 for possessing a stolen motorcycle and evading arrest. During that arrest, authorities also recovered a stolen 9mm handgun.
The recent operation in Savannah, led by multiple law enforcement agencies, resulted in PERNELL’s apprehension without incident. He now faces charges of being an alien in possession of a weapon and will be extradited to St. Lucia to stand trial for murder.
“This operation highlights our ongoing work to dismantle criminal networks and bring violent individuals to justice,” SCHRANK added. “We are thankful for our local, state, and international law enforcement partners who helped us secure this arrest.”
For more details, visit the official ICE announcement [here](https://www.ice.gov).
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).