Authorities are actively searching for the remaining fugitives who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans earlier this month, while also seeing a significant increase in the number of individuals arrested for allegedly aiding their escape.
More than a dozen arrests have been made in connection with the case, specifically targeting those who helped the ten inmates before and after their escape on May 16. This chaotic escape involved cutting through a hole in the wall and evading authorities, leading to an intense manhunt that continues as two men remain unaccounted for as of Tuesday.
“If anyone else is helping out the remaining two escapees, they will also be arrested and prosecuted,” warned Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a tweet. “We will not tolerate it.”
The escapees, facing charges for violent crimes including murder, managed to break out of their cells by forcing open a faulty door and squeezing through a hole behind a toilet. After scaling a barbed wire fence, they ran across an interstate. Hours later, during a routine headcount, they were discovered missing, leaving behind only surveillance footage and messages scrawled on the bathroom wall, including, “To easy LoL.”
Three of the escapees were recaptured the same day they fled, while two others were caught the following week. Louisiana State Police reported that all five recaptured inmates, who were found in various locations in New Orleans, have been rebooked on additional charges, including simple escape, and transferred to a secure facility outside the area. Attorney General Murrill stated that all five are being held without bond.
On Monday, state police announced the capture of three more fugitives, ten days post-jailbreak. Lenton Vanburen was arrested in Baton Rouge, a significant distance from New Orleans, while Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were apprehended after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase in Texas.
Both Tate and Donald are now facing additional charges as they were processed at a local jail in Huntsville, where the chase occurred. Meanwhile, authorities have flagged the remaining fugitives, Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves, as armed and dangerous. Groves was previously convicted of second-degree murder, while Massey has a history of multiple escape attempts and felony charges.
With federal and state investigators collaborating, a reward of $20,000 is being offered for information leading to the capture of either Massey or Groves.
The investigation into the escape is ongoing, particularly regarding those who may have assisted the inmates. Murrill stated, “everything that occurred before the violent inmates at the Orleans Justice Center crossed the wall” is being scrutinized.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson attributed the jailbreak to a shortage of resources and has accepted full responsibility for the incident. However, authorities believe that the escapees received inside help. Hutson asserted, “There’s no way for anyone to get out of this facility without help.”
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately suspended three employees without pay pending the investigation’s outcome. The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation made its first arrest shortly after, taking into custody Sterling Williams, a jail maintenance worker accused of facilitating the escape. It is claimed that Williams turned off the water supply to the cell, acting under duress from Massey, who allegedly threatened him.
Williams’s attorney, Michael Kennedy, claimed that Williams acted under the direction of a deputy who had assigned him to fix an overflowing toilet. He described Williams as a tool of the escapees rather than an active collaborator, suggesting he was unaware of any escape plans.
Subsequently, a second individual named Trevon Williams was arrested within the prison, facing charges as a principal to simple escape for allegedly assisting in the jailbreak. Details of his involvement remain undisclosed.
Authorities have also initiated arrests of those believed to have aided the escapees after the incident. Louisiana State Police arrested two women, 32-year-old Cortnie Harris and 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste. Harris is accused of being in contact with an unnamed escapee prior to the breakout and later transporting two escapees to various locations in New Orleans.
Baptiste allegedly maintained contact with captured escapee Corey Boyd and provided him with food while he was in hiding.
Both women face a felony charge of “accessories after the fact” and could potentially receive a five-year prison term if convicted. In addition, investigators arrested 59-year-old Connie Weeden, who is charged similarly for allegedly communicating with Jermaine Donald before and after his escape and sending him cash via a phone app.
Another arrest included that of 30-year-old Casey Smith, accused of aiding two unnamed escapees during their transport shortly after they broke free. Following questioning, Smith admitted to her participation in the escapees’ transportation alongside Harris.
The situation escalated on Monday with six more arrests announced by Louisiana State Police. Among them was Diamond White, who faces charges of principal to aggravated escape and obstruction of justice for allegedly helping Massey, who remains at large. Five other individuals were arrested for reportedly assisting Lenton Vanburen, who has since been captured.
These additional arrests include Lenika Vanburen, Tyshanea Randolph, Patricia Vanburen, Angel McKay, and Lenton Vanburen Sr.
The Orleans Public Defenders office, representing several alleged accomplices, has refrained from commenting on the ongoing cases. It remains uncertain whether the other accused individuals have legal representation.
State police are firmly warning anyone considering aiding the escapees that they will face arrest, and potential high bail, if apprehended. They highlighted the threat posed by those harboring fugitives, asserting that such actions compromise community safety and will not be overlooked.
The manhunt and ongoing investigations into the involvement of accomplices pose a significant concern for local authorities, as the search continues for additional individuals who might seek to disrupt law enforcement efforts in apprehending the remaining fugitives.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/05/27/nx-s1-5413024/new-orleans-jail-escape-arrests
