A sweeping manhunt entered its seventh day Thursday as authorities across Louisiana continue to search for five fugitives who escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans last week. The brazen jailbreak, which saw 10 inmates flee in the early hours of Friday morning, has now resulted in multiple arrests, escalating public concern and prompting a state-level investigation.
Authorities confirmed that three individuals have been arrested in connection with aiding the inmates. Among them is Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the jail, who is accused of playing a pivotal role in the escape. According to an arrest affidavit, Williams allegedly shut off the water to a toilet that concealed a hole in a cell wall, allowing the inmates to squeeze through unnoticed. He reportedly told investigators he was threatened by one of the inmates, who said he would “shank” him if he did not comply.
Williams faces 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office. He is being held on a $1.1 million bond. His attorney has argued that he was simply addressing a plumbing issue, not assisting in a jailbreak.
Two additional suspects, Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste, were arrested this week for allegedly helping the inmates after their escape. Both face felony charges, underscoring the seriousness of the alleged assistance provided to fugitives considered “armed and dangerous.”
Five of the 10 escapees have since been recaptured. Corey Boyd was apprehended on May 20, while Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis were captured within hours of the initial escape. All recaptured inmates have been transferred to the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary.
The five remaining fugitives — Antoine Massey, Lenton Vanburen, Leo Tate, Derrick Groves, and Jermain Donald — remain at large. Authorities say the inmates face a range of serious charges including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and domestic abuse.
The FBI, Louisiana State Police, and local agencies are working together in the search. “We believe members of the public are helping the inmates avoid capture,” said FBI Special Agent Jonathan Trapp. Rewards have been increased to $10,000 per fugitive, with Crime Stoppers and the ATF offering additional $5,000 bounties. A public tip led to one recapture, and law enforcement hopes for more assistance.
Surveillance footage shows the inmates exploiting a structural weakness in a defective cell door and escaping through a breached wall behind a toilet. Sheriff Susan Hutson said, “These are the cells we’ve been warning need to be replaced,” citing long-standing infrastructure concerns.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has called for a full audit of the Orleans Parish Justice Center and the sheriff’s office. “This is the worst jailbreak in recent state history,” he said, adding that the public deserves full transparency.
As the manhunt intensifies, authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and not to approach the escapees. “We will bring them back,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill. “And anyone helping them will be prosecuted.”
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