GEORGIA, United States (CMC) — The United States (US) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says it has apprehended a Jamaican-born fugitive wanted for murder in St Lucia who had escaped custody twice.

ICE said Orville Andrew Pernell, a 32-year-old Jamaican, was apprehended by its Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) special agents in Savannah, Georgia, following an extensive investigation and multinational manhunt.

“Pernell is accused of committing a brutal murder in St Lucia in 2020 and had been a fugitive for several years,” ICE said. “He escaped from custody in St Lucia during his murder trial and fled to Jamaica. In 2021, he was arrested in Jamaica and escaped from custody there as well.”

ICE said that US 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 given a notice to appear,” ICE said.

In July of 2023, ICE said Pernell was arrested by the Clayton County Sheriff in Clayton County, Georgia, for the possession of a stolen motorcycle and attempting to evade arrest.

During the arrest, police discovered a stolen 9mm handgun, ICE said.

“We are committed to tracking down fugitives who pose a serious threat to public safety, no matter where they may try to hide,” said ICE HSI Special Agent in Charge Atlanta, Georgia, Steven Schrank, who also covers Georgia and Alabama.

“This operation highlights our ongoing work to dismantle criminal networks and bring violent individuals to justice,” he added. “We are thankful for our local, state and international law enforcement partners who helped us secure this arrest.”

ICE said HSI, working alongside the ATF, located and arrested Pernell after their investigation led them to the Savannah area.

“He was taken into custody without incident,” said ICE, adding that, “Pernell faces charges for being an alien in possession of a weapon.”

ICE said that after he is extradited back to St Lucia, he will stand trial for murder.

The agency said HSI Caribbean, Bridgetown (Barbados) and Kingston (Jamaica) “provided significant contributions to the investigation and were instrumental in the success of the operation”.

“ICE HSI prioritises the apprehension of fugitives involved in violent crimes, particularly those who have fled to the US to evade justice,” it said.