International Manhunt Ends with Arrest in Georgia
Orville Andrew Pernell, a 32-year-old Jamaican national wanted for murder, was apprehended in Savannah, Georgia, on April 4, 2025. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), led the operation that brought the months-long manhunt to an end.
The capture of Pernell follows his dramatic escapes from custody in both St. Lucia and Jamaica, as well as a brief stint in the U.S., where he used a fake identity to evade authorities.
Murder Case and Escape from St. Lucia
Pernell was initially arrested in St. Lucia in connection with a 2020 murder investigation. He was on trial for the killing when he managed to escape custody, sparking an island-wide search. He fled the country and returned to his native Jamaica, where authorities eventually tracked him down and arrested him again in 2021.
Second Escape in Jamaica
Despite being under lock and key in Jamaica, Pernell escaped custody once more under unclear circumstances. The high-profile nature of his case triggered public outrage and raised serious questions about security protocols within the local justice system. Efforts to recapture him initially proved unsuccessful, prompting concerns about the potential risk he posed while on the run.
Illegal Entry into the United States
Pernell next surfaced in December 2022, when he was encountered by U.S. Border Patrol agents near San Ysidro, California. He had entered the country illegally, using a fake identity. Although he was granted temporary parole and issued a notice to appear in court, Pernell failed to show up for his immigration hearing in January 2023 and went off the grid once again.
Final Capture in Savannah
After over a year as a fugitive in the United States, Pernell was located and arrested in Savannah, Georgia, by a joint task force led by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta field office and the ATF. Authorities praised the collaborative effort that spanned multiple countries and law enforcement agencies.
What Happens Next?
Pernell remains in U.S. custody pending further legal proceedings. It is yet to be confirmed whether he will be extradited back to Jamaica or St. Lucia to face the original murder charges or be prosecuted for federal offenses committed in the United States.
