News Summary
Three of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center were recaptured following police pursuits in Texas and Louisiana. Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate were arrested in Texas, while Lenton Vanburen was caught in Baton Rouge. The escape involved a breach tactic, raising concerns about security protocols at the facility. Authorities are actively searching for the remaining escapees and have offered a reward for information. The incident has prompted an investigation into the management of high-risk offenders and heightened anxiety within the community.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Three of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, 2025, were recaptured on May 26, 2025, following separate police pursuits in Texas and Louisiana. Authorities have confirmed that Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate were arrested in Huntsville, Texas, while Lenton Vanburen was apprehended in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The arrests of Donald and Tate occurred after a police pursuit on U.S. 190 near Geneva Road. Both men were taken into custody without incident. Jermaine Donald, who has outstanding warrants for escape and resisting an officer, was originally charged with illegal carrying a weapon and second-degree murder. Conversely, Leo Tate faces outstanding charges for aggravated escape and escape from custody, with his original charge being obstruction of justice. Following their arrest, both inmates were transported to Walker County Jail for processing.
Lenton Vanburen was also successfully captured on the same day in Baton Rouge, where he was found in possession of a firearm. Vanburen’s charges prior to his escape included parole violation, possession of a firearm by a felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon.
On May 16, 2025, the initial escape of the ten inmates involved a breach tactic where they managed to pull open a faulty cell door, crawl through a hole behind a toilet, and scale a barbed-wire fence. They left behind graffiti that read “To Easy LoL.” This daring escape went unnoticed until a morning headcount revealed the inmates were missing. Since then, five other escapees from the original group, namely Dkenan Dennis, Corey Boyd, Gary C. Price, Kendell Myles, and Robert Moody, have been apprehended.
In total, eleven individuals have been arrested in connection with assisting the inmates in their escape, including friends, family members, a fellow inmate, and a jail maintenance worker. This has prompted Louisiana officials to undertake an in-depth investigation into the security protocols at the Orleans Justice Center.
Authorities have classified the escapees as high-risk offenders who are considered armed and dangerous. The ongoing manhunt for the remaining escapees is being conducted actively, with a reward of $20,000 offered for information leading to their capture. Law enforcement has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could lead to apprehending the fugitives still at large.
The series of events highlights a significant security lapse at the Orleans Justice Center, which has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols in place for managing inmates, particularly those with violent backgrounds. The ordeal has not only affected the security community but has also sent a ripple of anxiety across the local population as they seek assurance that measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As investigations proceed, the focus remains on ensuring the remaining escapees are captured quickly to protect the community and restore faith in the legal system’s ability to manage dangerous offenders securely. The recent arrest of Donald, Tate, and Vanburen is a step toward resolving this incident, but the search continues for the two escapees still on the run.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Associated Press
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- ABC News
- Google Search: New Orleans Inmates Escape
- FOX 8 Live
- Google Scholar: New Orleans Inmates Escape
- Washington Post
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- NOLA
- Google News: New Orleans Inmates Escape
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