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CNN
26-05-2025
- CNN
How 7 people allegedly helped New Orleans' escaped inmates, both before and after the brazen breakout
As authorities in Louisiana continue their hunt for five of the 10 inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail this month, seven people have been charged with helping the escapees, both from inside jail and once they were at large. Officials said from the beginning the escape was strategically planned and the fugitives had help. The growing number of arrests provides new insight into just how elaborate and far-reaching the planned jailbreak may have been. 'As I promised when we initiated our investigation, we will hold absolutely everyone who contributed any role to the prison break in New Orleans accountable,' Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a Sunday statement, announcing the latest alleged accomplice in the escape. Investigators continue to comb through communications from the jail, including phone recordings, and believe that other incarcerated inmates or employees could face additional charges for their role in assisting in the May 16 escape and a possible initial cover-up in the hours following the jailbreak, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN this weekend. As of Sunday evening, authorities have arrested and charged seven people who allegedly helped the 10 inmates before and in the hours after their escape. Here's what we know so far. Trevon Williams, 23, is accused of helping with the escape. He was already being held in a New Orleans jail on unrelated charges when investigators learned of his alleged involvement, according to Murrill. Williams faces 10 counts of principal to simple escape, but officials have not detailed how they believe he was involved in the jailbreak. Sterling Williams, 33, a maintenance worker at the jail, was arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees by turning off the water to the cell where they disconnected the plumbing to escape, according to Murrill. Williams said inmate Antoine Massey – one of the escapees still at large – threatened to shank him if he didn't turn off the water, according to an affidavit. Williams' attorney said he's 'fully convinced' of his client's innocence. Emmitt Weber, 28, is the most recent arrest in the jailbreak investigation. He faces a charge of accessory after the fact of simple escape, the New Orleans Police Department announced in a news release Friday. Connie Weeden, 59, is accused of sending cash via a cell phone app to escapee Jermaine Donald. Weeden was arrested in Slidell, roughly 30 miles northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana State Police said. She faces one felony count of accessory after the fact, which carries the possibility of a fine up to $500 and up to five years of prison. Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, was allegedly in contact with escapee Corey Boyd through social media and by phone. She also helped get him food while he was in hiding, according to Louisiana State Police. Baptiste has been charged with one count of accessory after the fact. Cortnie Harris, 32, is accused of being in contact with one of the escapees who remains missing. She also helped transport two missing fugitives to 'multiple locations in New Orleans,' according to Louisiana State Police. Harris is charged with one count of accessory after the fact. Casey Smith, 30, is accused of helping at least two escapees in the hours following the jailbreak, according to New Orleans police. Officers located Smith at a residence in the Third District, where police claim she admitted to her role in aiding the fugitives' transport, along with Cortnie Harris. Smith was booked with accessory after the fact to simple escape. The public defender's office has been appointed to represent the suspects while they are in custody, according to Orleans Parish court records. CNN reached out to the public defender's office for comment. The exception is Weeden, who was arrested in St. Tammany Parish. CNN is working to identify an attorney for her. The inmates who've been captured are Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Gary Price and Corey Boyd, while the inmates still at-large are Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate and Lenton Vanburen. Investigators believe other inmates provided materials used during the escape and helped to conceal it after it happened, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN. The 10 inmates escaped through a hole in the wall behind a toilet in a handicapped cell they'd broken into. Other inmates are believed to have placed the toilet back on the wall after the jailbreak to conceal the hole, according to the source. The escapees used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to help cut their way through the cell walls, the source said. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has not responded to CNN's questions about whether inmates are allowed to have access to electric hair trimmers and barber equipment. In addition, other inmates in the jail are also believed to have provided towels to the escapees that were used to help them scale the barbed wire fence surrounding the Orleans Parish Jail, the source said. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said last Thursday the director of the New Orleans Police Department Crime Lab visited the jail to begin a formal forensic processing of the scene, which he said was not requested by the sheriff's office. The sweeping investigation into the jailbreak includes probes into the Orleans Justice Center where the inmates were held and into the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office that oversaw it. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order last Wednesday 'mandating an immediate and aggressive response across multiple state agencies' in response to the escape. The Orleans Justice Center is also undergoing an audit by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The last audit was more than a decade ago. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the Orleans Justice Center, has come under increasing scrutiny. She was grilled during a tense city council meeting last week about whether the jail's persistent problems stem from inadequate funding or poor management. Hutson told the council she takes 'full accountability' for the 'failure' but also pointed to the alleged involvement of jail staff. '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. One arrest has been made, and we are continuing to pursue everyone involved and that investigation is active and ongoing,' the sheriff said. Hours after the city council meeting, the sheriff announced she was suspending her reelection campaign, telling the public in a statement, 'I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs.' CNN's Ryan Young, Jason Morris, Matt Rehbein, Rebekah Riess, Holly Yan, Hanna Park, Michelle Krupa and Cindy Von Quednow contributed to this report.
CNN
26-05-2025
- CNN
How 7 people allegedly helped New Orleans' escaped inmates, both before and after the brazen breakout
As authorities in Louisiana continue their hunt for five of the 10 inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail this month, seven people have been charged with helping the escapees, both from inside jail and once they were at large. Officials said from the beginning the escape was strategically planned and the fugitives had help. The growing number of arrests provides new insight into just how elaborate and far-reaching the planned jailbreak may have been. 'As I promised when we initiated our investigation, we will hold absolutely everyone who contributed any role to the prison break in New Orleans accountable,' Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a Sunday statement, announcing the latest alleged accomplice in the escape. Investigators continue to comb through communications from the jail, including phone recordings, and believe that other incarcerated inmates or employees could face additional charges for their role in assisting in the May 16 escape and a possible initial cover-up in the hours following the jailbreak, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN this weekend. As of Sunday evening, authorities have arrested and charged seven people who allegedly helped the 10 inmates before and in the hours after their escape. Here's what we know so far. Trevon Williams, 23, is accused of helping with the escape. He was already being held in a New Orleans jail on unrelated charges when investigators learned of his alleged involvement, according to Murrill. Williams faces 10 counts of principal to simple escape, but officials have not detailed how they believe he was involved in the jailbreak. Sterling Williams, 33, a maintenance worker at the jail, was arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees by turning off the water to the cell where they disconnected the plumbing to escape, according to Murrill. Williams said inmate Antoine Massey – one of the escapees still at large – threatened to shank him if he didn't turn off the water, according to an affidavit. Williams' attorney said he's 'fully convinced' of his client's innocence. Emmitt Weber, 28, is the most recent arrest in the jailbreak investigation. He faces a charge of accessory after the fact of simple escape, the New Orleans Police Department announced in a news release Friday. Connie Weeden, 59, is accused of sending cash via a cell phone app to escapee Jermaine Donald. Weeden was arrested in Slidell, roughly 30 miles northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana State Police said. She faces one felony count of accessory after the fact, which carries the possibility of a fine up to $500 and up to five years of prison. Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, was allegedly in contact with escapee Corey Boyd through social media and by phone. She also helped get him food while he was in hiding, according to Louisiana State Police. Baptiste has been charged with one count of accessory after the fact. Cortnie Harris, 32, is accused of being in contact with one of the escapees who remains missing. She also helped transport two missing fugitives to 'multiple locations in New Orleans,' according to Louisiana State Police. Harris is charged with one count of accessory after the fact. Casey Smith, 30, is accused of helping at least two escapees in the hours following the jailbreak, according to New Orleans police. Officers located Smith at a residence in the Third District, where police claim she admitted to her role in aiding the fugitives' transport, along with Cortnie Harris. Smith was booked with accessory after the fact to simple escape. The public defender's office has been appointed to represent the suspects while they are in custody, according to Orleans Parish court records. CNN reached out to the public defender's office for comment. The exception is Weeden, who was arrested in St. Tammany Parish. CNN is working to identify an attorney for her. The inmates who've been captured are Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Gary Price and Corey Boyd, while the inmates still at-large are Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate and Lenton Vanburen. Investigators believe other inmates provided materials used during the escape and helped to conceal it after it happened, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN. The 10 inmates escaped through a hole in the wall behind a toilet in a handicapped cell they'd broken into. Other inmates are believed to have placed the toilet back on the wall after the jailbreak to conceal the hole, according to the source. The escapees used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to help cut their way through the cell walls, the source said. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has not responded to CNN's questions about whether inmates are allowed to have access to electric hair trimmers and barber equipment. In addition, other inmates in the jail are also believed to have provided towels to the escapees that were used to help them scale the barbed wire fence surrounding the Orleans Parish Jail, the source said. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said last Thursday the director of the New Orleans Police Department Crime Lab visited the jail to begin a formal forensic processing of the scene, which he said was not requested by the sheriff's office. The sweeping investigation into the jailbreak includes probes into the Orleans Justice Center where the inmates were held and into the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office that oversaw it. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order last Wednesday 'mandating an immediate and aggressive response across multiple state agencies' in response to the escape. The Orleans Justice Center is also undergoing an audit by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The last audit was more than a decade ago. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the Orleans Justice Center, has come under increasing scrutiny. She was grilled during a tense city council meeting last week about whether the jail's persistent problems stem from inadequate funding or poor management. Hutson told the council she takes 'full accountability' for the 'failure' but also pointed to the alleged involvement of jail staff. '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. One arrest has been made, and we are continuing to pursue everyone involved and that investigation is active and ongoing,' the sheriff said. Hours after the city council meeting, the sheriff announced she was suspending her reelection campaign, telling the public in a statement, 'I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs.' CNN's Ryan Young, Jason Morris, Matt Rehbein, Rebekah Riess, Holly Yan, Hanna Park, Michelle Krupa and Cindy Von Quednow contributed to this report.
CNN
26-05-2025
- CNN
How 7 people allegedly helped New Orleans' escaped inmates, both before and after the brazen breakout
As authorities in Louisiana continue their hunt for five of the 10 inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail this month, seven people have been charged with helping the escapees, both from inside jail and once they were at large. Officials said from the beginning the escape was strategically planned and the fugitives had help. The growing number of arrests provides new insight into just how elaborate and far-reaching the planned jailbreak may have been. 'As I promised when we initiated our investigation, we will hold absolutely everyone who contributed any role to the prison break in New Orleans accountable,' Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a Sunday statement, announcing the latest alleged accomplice in the escape. Investigators continue to comb through communications from the jail, including phone recordings, and believe that other incarcerated inmates or employees could face additional charges for their role in assisting in the May 16 escape and a possible initial cover-up in the hours following the jailbreak, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN this weekend. As of Sunday evening, authorities have arrested and charged seven people who allegedly helped the 10 inmates before and in the hours after their escape. Here's what we know so far. Trevon Williams, 23, is accused of helping with the escape. He was already being held in a New Orleans jail on unrelated charges when investigators learned of his alleged involvement, according to Murrill. Williams faces 10 counts of principal to simple escape, but officials have not detailed how they believe he was involved in the jailbreak. Sterling Williams, 33, a maintenance worker at the jail, was arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees by turning off the water to the cell where they disconnected the plumbing to escape, according to Murrill. Williams said inmate Antoine Massey – one of the escapees still at large – threatened to shank him if he didn't turn off the water, according to an affidavit. Williams' attorney said he's 'fully convinced' of his client's innocence. Emmitt Weber, 28, is the most recent arrest in the jailbreak investigation. He faces a charge of accessory after the fact of simple escape, the New Orleans Police Department announced in a news release Friday. Connie Weeden, 59, is accused of sending cash via a cell phone app to escapee Jermaine Donald. Weeden was arrested in Slidell, roughly 30 miles northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana State Police said. She faces one felony count of accessory after the fact, which carries the possibility of a fine up to $500 and up to five years of prison. Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, was allegedly in contact with escapee Corey Boyd through social media and by phone. She also helped get him food while he was in hiding, according to Louisiana State Police. Baptiste has been charged with one count of accessory after the fact. Cortnie Harris, 32, is accused of being in contact with one of the escapees who remains missing. She also helped transport two missing fugitives to 'multiple locations in New Orleans,' according to Louisiana State Police. Harris is charged with one count of accessory after the fact. Casey Smith, 30, is accused of helping at least two escapees in the hours following the jailbreak, according to New Orleans police. Officers located Smith at a residence in the Third District, where police claim she admitted to her role in aiding the fugitives' transport, along with Cortnie Harris. Smith was booked with accessory after the fact to simple escape. The public defender's office has been appointed to represent the suspects while they are in custody, according to Orleans Parish court records. CNN reached out to the public defender's office for comment. The exception is Weeden, who was arrested in St. Tammany Parish. CNN is working to identify an attorney for her. The inmates who've been captured are Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Gary Price and Corey Boyd, while the inmates still at-large are Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate and Lenton Vanburen. Investigators believe other inmates provided materials used during the escape and helped to conceal it after it happened, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN. The 10 inmates escaped through a hole in the wall behind a toilet in a handicapped cell they'd broken into. Other inmates are believed to have placed the toilet back on the wall after the jailbreak to conceal the hole, according to the source. The escapees used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to help cut their way through the cell walls, the source said. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has not responded to CNN's questions about whether inmates are allowed to have access to electric hair trimmers and barber equipment. In addition, other inmates in the jail are also believed to have provided towels to the escapees that were used to help them scale the barbed wire fence surrounding the Orleans Parish Jail, the source said. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said last Thursday the director of the New Orleans Police Department Crime Lab visited the jail to begin a formal forensic processing of the scene, which he said was not requested by the sheriff's office. The sweeping investigation into the jailbreak includes probes into the Orleans Justice Center where the inmates were held and into the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office that oversaw it. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order last Wednesday 'mandating an immediate and aggressive response across multiple state agencies' in response to the escape. The Orleans Justice Center is also undergoing an audit by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. The last audit was more than a decade ago. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the Orleans Justice Center, has come under increasing scrutiny. She was grilled during a tense city council meeting last week about whether the jail's persistent problems stem from inadequate funding or poor management. Hutson told the council she takes 'full accountability' for the 'failure' but also pointed to the alleged involvement of jail staff. '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. One arrest has been made, and we are continuing to pursue everyone involved and that investigation is active and ongoing,' the sheriff said. Hours after the city council meeting, the sheriff announced she was suspending her reelection campaign, telling the public in a statement, 'I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs.' CNN's Ryan Young, Jason Morris, Matt Rehbein, Rebekah Riess, Holly Yan, Hanna Park, Michelle Krupa and Cindy Von Quednow contributed to this report.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
More people arrested for helping escaped New Orleans inmates as search for 5 continues
More than a week after 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail, authorities have recaptured five and made a slew of other arrests of people accused of helping them evade capture. At least seven people have been arrested and charged with helping the inmates, including most recently a fellow inmate accused of collaborating with the escapees. Trevon Williams, who did not escape from the New Orleans jail, was charged with 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on May 23. "As I promised when we initiated our investigation, we will hold absolutely everyone who contributed any role to the prison break in New Orleans accountable," Murrill said. Also on May 23, the New Orleans Police Department said it arrested Emmitt Weber on a charge of accessory after the fact of simple escape. Weber was one of four people questioned after investigators "combed through surveillance footage, connecting crucial dots in the search," the police department said. Also in recent days, 30-year-old Casey Smith was arrested for allegedly helping two of the escaped inmates with transportation, the police department said. She was also charged with being an accessory after simple escape. They join two other women and a jail employee who have been charged. The Louisiana State Police issued a stern warning to members of the public that anyone assisting the inmates on the run will be caught and arrested. "The decision is simple – assist law enforcement in locating them and receive reward money, or be arrested with a potentially high bond. The choice is yours!" state police said. The inmates escaped in the early morning hours of May 16. They ripped a toilet and sink unit away from a wall and climbed through a hole, officials have said. By the end of the day, three of them were recaptured and authorities nabbed two more in the days that followed. It has been four days since an inmate has been taken back into custody. The inmates still at large are Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Leo Tate, Lenton Vanburen and Antoine Massey. Donald, Vanburen and Groves have all been charged with second-degree murder, officials said. Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Kendall Myles, Gary Price and Corey Boyd are back in custody. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Orleans jail escape: More arrested for helping inmates
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Inmate accused of helping with Orleans Justice Center jailbreak
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — An inmate has been charged with assisting in the May 16 jailbreak from the Orleans Justice Center. According to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office, Trevon Williams allegedly helped the 10 inmates to escape, and has now been arrested and charged with 10 counts of principal to simple escape. Fourth arrest made, accused in aiding escaped Orleans Parish inmates Per the arrest warrant, Williams was reportedly in the cell at the time of the escape and provided the other inmates with a blanket and a shirt to help them to clear the razor wire fence. When questioned about his involvement and shown surveillance footage, officials say Williams claimed to not remember anything about the incident. Williams was already in the Orleans Parish Jail on charges unrelated to the escape, but has since been rebooked with the new Republican says he doesn't use straws: 'That's what the women in my house do' Father of 4 detained by ICE at citizenship interview after living in US for 12 years Neuralink patient explains first year of life with brain chip 133 migrants charged with illegal entry into military zone Health officials urge Mennonites to get measles shots Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
