Twice-escaped caribbean murder suspect captured in savannah after years on the run

SAVANNAH, GA — A Jamaican fugitive wanted for a 2020 murder in St. Lucia who twice escaped custody in the Caribbean has been captured in Georgia following a multinational investigation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced.

Key Points

Orville Andrew Pernell, 32, captured by ICE and ATF agents in Savannah
Pernell previously escaped custody in both St. Lucia and Jamaica
Fugitive entered U.S. under false identity, now faces federal firearm charge

Murder suspect fled twice before U.S. entry

Orville Andrew Pernell, 32, was apprehended April 4 by ICE Homeland Security Investigations and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in Savannah. Pernell is accused of a 2020 murder in St. Lucia and escaped custody during his trial, later fleeing to Jamaica. After his arrest there in 2021, he escaped again.

U.S. Border Patrol encountered Pernell on December 7, 2022, near San Ysidro, California. He attempted to enter the United States using a fake identity and was paroled into the country with a notice to appear.

Georgia arrest exposed fugitive’s identity

Pernell was arrested again in July 2023 by the Clayton County Sheriff in Georgia for possessing a stolen motorcycle and attempting to flee from police. Authorities also recovered a stolen 9mm handgun in his possession.

It was during follow-up investigations into that arrest that federal agents identified him as a fugitive wanted for murder and coordinated efforts to locate him.

Taken into custody without incident

Following months of investigation, ICE HSI and ATF agents located Pernell in the Savannah area. He was taken into custody without incident. He now faces federal charges for being an alien in possession of a firearm and is awaiting extradition to St. Lucia to face murder charges.

“This operation highlights our ongoing work to dismantle criminal networks and bring violent individuals to justice,” said ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge Atlanta Steven N. Schrank.

ICE HSI teams in Bridgetown and Kingston were credited with key roles in the multinational operation.

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