Louisiana jail worker accused of sneaky act that helped ten inmates escape through hole in wall
Ten dangerous inmates were discovered missing during a routine head count at Orleans Parish Jail Friday morning.
According to Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, the inmates managed to escape from their cell after breaching a wall behind a toilet.
Authorities believe sheriff's employees may have helped, and three have been suspended. On Tuesday, authorities announced their first staff arrest.
Sterling Williams, 33, confessed that one of the escapees 'advised him to turn the water off in the cell' before the men slipped away through the hole in the wall, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
In an arrest affidavit, Williams said one of the inmates who escaped had threatened to 'shank' him if he did not turn off the water.
Another inmate tried to take Williams' phone and attempted to get him to bring a book with cash app information.
Williams, who worked in maintenance at the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, was arrested on Monday.
Authorities said by turning off the water, Williams 'willfully and maliciously assisted with the escape.'
'If the inmates removed the sink in the cell and disconnected the rest of the plumbing with the water still on, the plan to escape would not have been successful and potentially flooded the cell, drawing attention to their actions,' the affidavit stated.
He was booked at Orleans Parish jail, then relocated to another facility and charged with 10 counts of simple escape and malfeasance in office.
'This is a continuing investigation, and we will provide updates as often as possible. We will uncover all the facts eventually and anyone who aided and abetted will be prosecuted to the full extent the law allows,' Murrill said.
'I encourage anyone who knows anything and even those who may have provided assistance to come forward now to obtain the best possible outcome in their particular case.'
During a New Orleans City Council meeting on Tuesday, Hutson said she 'takes full accountability' for the escape.
'There were procedural failures and missed notifications, but there were also intentional wrongdoings - this was a coordinated effort aided by individuals inside our own agency who made the choice to break the law,' she said. 'We are continuing to pursue everyone involved.'
Since the escape, four of the inmates have been captured, and a manhunt continues for the other six.
The inmates have been identified as Corey Boyd, Dkenan Dennis, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Gary Price, Leo Tate and Lenton Vanburen.
Price, 21, was captured Monday night in New Orleans, according the Louisiana State Police (LSP).
He was charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bond when he escaped.
Police located him in New Orleans East and arrested him with the assistance of the SWAT team.
'Following his arrest, LSP Air Support and members of the SWAT team transported Price to a secure correctional facility,' LSP said.
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