ERO Philadelphia arrests Jamaican citizen wanted for murder in Jamaica

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations officers and U.S. Marshals Service deputies arrested a foreign fugitive in Philadelphia Dec. 17 who is wanted for murder in Jamaica. He remains in ERO custody pending his removal from the United States.

Jeovann Anthony Forde, 23, a citizen of Jamaica living in Philadelphia, was arrested during a targeted enforcement operation without incident.

“Forde’s arrest should send a clear message to anyone who attempts to flee prosecution in their home country that you will be caught, and you will be returned to face justice,” said Acting ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane. “This arrest marks the fourth foreign fugitive that our officers have arrested in the last two weeks, highlighting their tireless pursuit to protect the homeland.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers encountered Forde in San Ysidro, California, July 18, 2022; he was enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention SmartLink program and released July 19, 2022. His participation was terminated on June 27, 2023, after he failed to abide by the terms of the Alternatives to Detention program and an immigration judge ordered Forde removed in absentia on July 24, 2023. Jamaican authorities issued a warrant for Forde on May 24, 2024, for murder.

ERO is one of ICE’s three operational directorates and is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in the Philadelphia area on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROPhiladelphia.