The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. MarshalsService and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics joined efforts inthe arrest Tuesday of an Illinois fugitive, according toauthorities.

Versailles Peynesta, 24, who was living in Brookhaven at OakviewApartments 5A, was arrested without incident after tips ledauthorities to his residence, said Richard A. Griffin, supervisorydeputy with the U.S. Marshals Service.

Peynesta was wanted for a parole violation with the IllinoisDepartment of Corrections, said Griffin.

“Mr. Peynesta violated his parole by shooting and killing anindividual and wounding another (in Chicago),” Griffin said.

The incident occurred on Nov. 1, 2003. A warrant was issued forhis arrest, and authorities have been searching for Peynesta sincethat time.

“Leads developed in Chicago and led the Central MississippiFugitive Task Force to the Brookhaven area, and then we requestedthe assistance of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department,” saidGriffin.

Peynesta was inside the apartment he listed as his residence.Authorities were able to apprehend him quickly.

“Deputies knocked and announced, and he came out and compliedwith directions,” said Griffin, adding that Peynesta was unarmed atthe time of his arrest.

Griffin complimented the assistance of the sheriff’s departmentin the capture.

“We certainly wouldn’t have been able to capture this guywithout the help of the sheriff’s department. They were stellar,”said Griffin.

Deputy Byron Catchings was instrumental in making the arrest,said authorities.

Peynesta had a history of arrests for drug possession andaggravated battery, stemming back to 1998.

He is being held in the Lincoln County Jail, and will faceextradition proceedings in Mississippi before being transportedback to Chicago.

Lincoln County Wiley Calcote said he was glad the sheriff’sdepartment had the opportunity to make the arrest.

“I’m just glad that our department was able to assist them,” hesaid.