New Orleans jail escape: Maps and videos show how it happened
The New Orleans jailbreak, now in its sixth day, has led to a massive manhunt while throwing a spotlight on procedural errors that led to the May 16 escape. Of the 10 inmates who fled early that morning, five have been recaptured as of May 21 and are being held at the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary.
While state and local investigators continue to probe how the escape occurred, the incident has led Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson to suspend her re-election campaign, according to a May 20 social media post.
How did the escape happen?
The inmates escaped early in the morning of May 16 by going through a hole in the wall behind a toilet in one cell, then fleeing from the building through a loading dock door. There were several phrases and doodles marked on the wall above the hole including "To easy lol", " I'm We innocent" and "Catch us when you can".
They then moved along a secure perimeter road between the Orleans Parish Jail and a building under construction. After scaling a fence, they crossed Interstate 10 and fled into a nearby neighborhood.
Jailbreak update 5 nabbed, 5 to go: Manhunt for escaped New Orleans inmates reaches 6th day
Authorities were alerted to their escape hours later after they were discovered the men missing from an 8:30 a.m. headcount. A jail employee - 33-year old Sterling Williams - was arrested in connection with the escape. Two women have been arrested for helping the fugitives.
Williams, a maintenance worker, told agents he turned the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped from. His bond is currently set at $1.1 million according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
How many inmates escaped in New Orleans? How many have been caught? What are their charges?
Of the 10 inmates who escaped, five have been apprehended as of May 21. Here's a list of their current status and charges, according to The Times-Picayune:
The five escaped inmates who are still at-large are:
Lenton Vanburen, 26 Charges: Second-degree murder in a November 2021 homicide in New Orleans East, where a victim was shot to death. Pled not guilty. Status, Escaped, at-large.
Derrick Groves, 27 Charges: Convicted of second-degree murder in a 2018 Mardi Gras Day killing of two men. Status: Escaped, at-large.
Leo Tate, 31 Charges: Second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in a 7th Ward double shooting in 2018, which killed 19-year-old Alexis Banks and sent a 16-year-old to the hospital. Accepted a plea deal in which murder-related charges were dismissed, and he was convicted of obstruction of justice and sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Status: Escaped, at-large.
Antoine Massey, 32 Charges: Motor vehicle theft and domestic abuse battery involving strangulation. Wanted by St. Tammany Parish authorities on suspicion of kidnapping and rape. A judge issued a protective order in Orleans Parish and Massey hadn't entered a plea. Status: Escaped, at-large.
Jermaine Donald, 42 Charges: Most recently charged with second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Pled not guilty. Status: Escaped, at-large.
New Orleans jail employee arrested in connection with inmate escape
Sterling Williams was arrested and charged with helping 10 inmates break free from a New Orleans jail, authorities said.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office is offering a monetary reward for information regarding the remaining suspects. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or online at crimestoppersgno.org.
Read more: Two women arrested for helping fugitives as manhunt in New Orleans escape reaches 6th day
Contributing: Chris Powers
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