News Summary
A three-day manhunt is underway for seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans. Authorities are working tirelessly to recapture the fugitives, with three already back in custody. The escape has raised serious concerns about jail security and prompted the Governor to impose audits on the sheriff’s office. The community is urged to stay vigilant, as the situation unfolds amid reports of potential assistance to the escapees from local residents. A reward of $10,000 is being offered for information leading to their capture.
New Orleans – A manhunt for inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail has entered its third day, with seven of the ten escapees still at large as of Sunday, May 18, 2025. The escape, which occurred at the Orleans Justice Center early Friday morning, has prompted an extensive search involving at least twelve law enforcement agencies across the region.
According to a statement from the Louisiana State Police, three of the escapees have already been recaptured and transported to a secure state correctional facility. The remaining seven fugitives are still unaccounted for, and their capture is a top priority for authorities. The Louisiana Attorney General emphasized the focus on recovering the prisoners while ensuring public safety.
The escape incident has been labeled as the worst in recent state history by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. In response to the breach, the governor has mandated audits of the sheriff’s office and the Orleans Parish Prison. Furthermore, three jail staff members have been suspended without pay pending an internal investigation into the escape.
Landry has expressed concern over the state’s “progressive justice system,” asserting that delays in prosecution may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the inmates’ escape. Notably, nine of the ten escapees were awaiting trial for serious offenses, raising further concerns about the effectiveness of the facility’s security measures.
The escapees exploited defective locks to breach a wall behind a toilet, creating a significant hole that allowed them to flee the facility. During their escape, they also managed to yank their sliding jail cell door off its track. Inmates reportedly left messages behind, including a note that read “To Easy Lol,” indicating their sense of triumph in the escape.
The FBI has initiated an aggressive response to the situation, offering a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the capture of each escaped inmate. This amount has been raised from an earlier offered $5,000. Additional support is being provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Crimestoppers, who are offering up to $20,000 in total rewards for tips that lead to the fugitives’ apprehension.
Security footage has confirmed that at least one of the escapees, Kendell Myles, was seen walking in the French Quarter shortly after the escape occurred, before being re-captured. Authorities suspect that some individuals in the community may be assisting the escaped inmates, and warnings have been issued that anyone caught aiding them will face arrest. This has led to heightened community awareness and vigilance as officials continue the search for the remaining fugitives.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent has advised the public to remain alert but not to panic, noting that the fugitives are considered dangerous. Among the escapees is Derrick Groves, who has a previous murder charge against him. Concerns for the safety of Groves’ family members have risen, with reports suggesting they have gone into hiding.
The escape was discovered around 8:30 am during a routine head count, revealing that inmates had fled the prison during the night. The Louisiana State Police Superintendent expressed confidence that the remaining fugitives would be captured soon, citing promising leads received during the search efforts.
As the investigation unfolds, the management and security of the Orleans Parish Jail facility are under intense scrutiny. The sheriff has highlighted existing infrastructure issues, calling for necessary repairs to improve the overall security at the facility. The escape highlights significant concerns about the conditions within the jail and the management practices in place to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Manhunt for Inmates After Largest Jailbreak in Louisiana
Louisiana Governor Orders Audit After Jail Escape
Mass Inmate Escape at Orleans Justice Center Raises Security Concerns
Ten Inmates Escape from Orleans Justice Center
Coordinated Inmate Escape from Orleans Justice Center
Escape from Orleans Justice Center: Three Recaptured, Seven Still At Large
Manhunt for Inmates Following Orleans Parish Jail Escape
Family of Murder Victim Goes into Hiding After Jail Escape
Ten Inmates Escape from Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans
Ten Inmates Escape Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans
Additional Resources
- WDSU News
- NBC News
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- WWLTV
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans jail escape 2025
- Google Scholar: New Orleans inmate escape
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans jail escape
