Attempted murder suspect arrested in Fairmont, Kanawha County

FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) – A Fairmont man wanted for a 2023 attempted murder and kidnapping in Marion County was arrested Monday morning.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, 32-year-old Jamie Jones was arrested around 8:30 a.m. at a residence in the Kelly's Creek area of ​​Kanawha County.

Jones was wanted by Fairmont police for an April 2023 incident in which he, along with two other co-defendants, kidnapped a man with a gun and threatened to kill him.

Jones, Kenyatta Ephraim and Tyreese Taylor kidnapped the man from a home in Morgantown on April 27, 2023. The trio searched for the victim's brother in Fairmont and when they found him near 321 Maple Avenue Extension, they began shooting at him from the vehicle. Ephraim was also hit by gunfire during the struggle and the kidnapping victim escaped from the vehicle during it, according to Fairmont police.

Arrest warrants against Jones in this case were issued on May 5, 2023.

Jones was also wanted in another case for accessory after the fact to a murder, officials said. He allegedly helped a man who committed a premeditated murder on March 23, 2023. In that case, another man who committed a murder near 788 Cleveland Ave contacted Jones to help him escape the area. Jones directed the man to flee to Ohio, where he was eventually arrested. Jones also warned the alleged perpetrator that police were already at the scene of the murder.

Arrest warrants against Jones in this case were issued on May 3, 2023.

Investigators spent countless hours trying to locate Jones, following leads in at least five states, officials said.

During the arrest on Monday morning, Jones attempted to flee the apartment, but authorities were able to prevent his escape and arrest him without incident.

Jones was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service's Cops United Felony Fugitive Enforcement Division (CUFFED) Task Force in the Southern District of West Virginia with assistance from the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department, the Metropolitan Drug Enforcement Network Team (MDENT), and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

In addition, Ephraim, Jones' co-defendant in the April 2023 incident, is scheduled to be sentenced in Marion County District Court at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday for his role in the incident.

Previous reporting:

US Marshals search for man in connection with planned shooting

US Marshals continue search for fugitive last seen in Morgantown

US Marshals continue search for fugitive in “planned” shooting

Three people charged in connection with the ‘planned’ Fairmont shooting

Second man charged in planned shooting in Fairmont

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