El Paso Standard

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) made significant progress in apprehending a fugitive wanted for murder in the Caribbean. Orville Andrew Pernell, a 32-year-old Jamaican citizen, was captured by ICE's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) special agents in Savannah, Georgia, on April 4. This arrest followed an intensive investigation and a multinational manhunt.

Pernell is accused of a murder in St. Lucia in 2020. He escaped custody twice in the Caribbean; first during his murder trial in St. Lucia and then again after being arrested in Jamaica in 2021. He subsequently attempted to enter the United States using a fake identity and was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents on December 7, 2022, near San Ysidro, California. At that time, he was paroled into the country and given a notice to appear.

In July 2023, Pernell was arrested in Clayton County, Georgia, for possessing a stolen motorcycle and attempting to evade arrest. During this incident, authorities also found a stolen 9mm handgun in his possession.

Steven N. Schrank, ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge in Atlanta, which covers both Georgia and Alabama, emphasized the agency's dedication to public safety. "We are committed to tracking down fugitives who pose a serious threat to public safety, no matter where they may try to hide," Schrank stated. "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."

In cooperation with the ATF, ICE HSI agents ultimately located Pernell in the Savannah area, taking him into custody without incident. He now faces charges for being an alien in possession of a weapon and will be extradited back to St. Lucia where he will stand trial for murder.

The contributions of ICE HSI Caribbean offices in Bridgetown and Kingston were pivotal to the operation's success. ICE HSI prioritizes apprehending fugitives involved in violent crimes, especially those who flee to the U.S. to escape justice.

Anyone with information regarding fugitives or illegal activities is encouraged to contact the ICE Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE (1-866-347-2423) or fill out the online tip form.