News Summary
On May 16, ten inmates broke out of the Orleans Parish Justice Center, raising alarms about security lapses. Initial investigations suggest insider assistance may have facilitated the escape. Two inmates have been recaptured, while eight remain at large, prompting a manhunt involving local and federal authorities. Significant security concerns were noted, as many surveillance cameras were non-operational during the incident. The escape has led to calls for accountability and thorough investigations into jail security protocols.
New Orleans – On the morning of May 16, 2025, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center, prompting immediate reactions from law enforcement officials and the suspension of three jail employees. Sheriff Susan Hutson suspects that this brazen escape may have involved assistance from individuals within the facility.
The escape was uncovered during a routine head count at 8:30 a.m., revealing that the inmates had tampered with a locked cell earlier that same night at approximately 12:23 a.m. Using tools not typically available to them, the inmates managed to breach the cell and create a hole behind a toilet. They made their way out at around 1:01 a.m., exiting through a door in the docks area of the jail that is designated for the delivery of supplies. Video surveillance footage has since confirmed the path taken by the inmates.
As of now, two of the ten escapees have been recaptured, while eight remain at large. The FBI joined local authorities in the search for the remaining inmates at approximately 4:30 p.m., offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to their capture. The sheriff emphasized that such an escape would have been “impossible without help” from staff, indicating serious concerns about security protocols and staff complicity.
The inmates involved in this escape are viewed as armed and dangerous and face serious charges including second-degree murder. The list of escapees includes Antoine Massey, Lenton VanBuren, Leo Tate, Kendell Myles, Derrick Groves, Jermain Donald, Corey Boyd, Gary Price, Robert Moody, and DKenan Dennis. Among those recaptured, Kendell Myles was located by Louisiana State Police hiding under a car in the Hotel Monteleone parking garage. Following his recapture, he faces new charges for simple escape and has a history of previous attempts.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the measures of negligence noted at the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Reports indicate that about one-third of the security cameras within the facility were non-operational at the time of the escape, including three located in the area where the inmates escaped. Jail officials had previously acknowledged issues with defective locks and ongoing staff shortages that further compromised security management.
In light of the escape, Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill have publicly criticized the response from jail officials, calling for accountability and further investigations into the events surrounding the incident. The Orleans Parish Jail was placed on lockdown immediately following the discovery of the escape, and a thorough investigation into the circumstances has been initiated. This investigation is expected to examine not only the escape itself but also the subsequent security vulnerabilities that permitted it to occur.
The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or information regarding the escaped inmates to local law enforcement or the Crime Stoppers hotline. As the search continues, authorities are prioritizing public safety and the swift return of the escaped individuals to custody.
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HERE Resources
Inmates Recaptured Following New Orleans Jailbreak
Additional Resources
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- CBS News
- Google Search: New Orleans jail escape
- The New York Times
- Google Scholar: New Orleans jail escape
- WDSU
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
