Jamaican Fugitive indicted in Georgia on Federal gun charges. A Jamaican fugitive, who allegedly escaped from the Kingston Central police lock-up in Kingston, is now in federal custody in the United States on gun charges.
Authorities have identified the Jamaican fugitives as Orville Andrew Pernell, 32, also known as ‘Oneil Christopher Reid.’
He recently appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Atlanta after authorities indicted him on charges of possession of a firearm by an alien illegally residing in the United States.
Pernell, who is from St Mary, Jamaica, has been wanted in St Lucia since 2020 for the murder of Cleus Alfred.
US officials say he first escaped custody in St Lucia while awaiting trial. He allegedly cut the steel bars of his jail cell.
Jamaican authorities later recaptured him in July 2021. However, he escaped again while in custody at the Kingston Central police lock-up, where he was awaiting extradition proceedings.
Pernell later illegally entered the United States near San Ysidro, California, in December 2022. He allegedly used the false identity “Oneil Christopher Reid”.
Authorities say he resurfaced in Georgia in July 2023 after deputies attempted to stop him for allegedly riding a motorcycle at 115 miles per hour. Police report that he tried to flee before they cornered in traffic.
US agents eventually tracked The Jamaican fugitive down in Savannah, Georgia. Law enforcement arrested him during a joint operation involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
American officials have described Pernell as a international fugitive who successfully evaded law enforcement in multiple countries.
He remains in custody pending trial in the United States and is expected to be extradited to St. Lucia afterwards to face murder charges.
Suspect killed in alleged shootout with police in Cassava Piece
Police have shot and killed a suspect during an operation in Cassava Piece, St Andrew, Jamaica, early Tuesday morning.
The authorities have identified the deceased as Orlando’ Bomma’ Salmon.
According to the police, ‘Bomma’ was a violence-producer, who prison authorities released less than two years ago. He spent more than a decade in prison.
At about 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, police officers conducted a targeted operation in the Cassava piece community.
During the operation, Salmon allegedly challenged the police, who returned fire, hitting the suspect. The police rushed Salmon to the hospital, where a doctor pronounced him deceased.
Law enforcement allegedly recovered one firearm at the scene.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has launched a probe into the incident.
As of May 19, 130 Jamaicans have lost their lives during alleged confrontations with the security forces. Fifteen of those lost lives have occurred in May.