Heightened security measures in New Orleans following a recent jail escape.
Connie Weeden, a 59-year-old from Slidell, has been arrested for allegedly aiding Jermaine Donald in escaping a New Orleans jail. Weeden faces felony charges as authorities continue the manhunt for escaped inmates. The escape involved ten inmates, five of whom remain at large, raising community concerns about law enforcement responses and safety.
New Orleans – Connie Weeden, a 59-year-old woman from Slidell, Louisiana, has been arrested in connection with the escape of ten inmates from a New Orleans jail. Weeden faces a felony charge of being an accessory after the fact, as she allegedly assisted escapee Jermaine Donald, who is currently still at large. The arrest occurred on May 22, four days after the inmates executed a daring escape.
According to law enforcement, Weeden was in communication with Donald both before and after the jailbreak. It is claimed that she provided financial assistance to him via a cell phone app. If convicted, Weeden faces a potential fine of up to $500 and a prison sentence of up to five years.
The mass escape took place on May 16, when the inmates managed to rip out a toilet and sink unit, allowing them to squeeze through a hole in the wall. The authorities became aware of the escape more than seven hours later, around 8:30 a.m. on May 19. In the aftermath, a wide-ranging manhunt was initiated for five of the ten inmates still unaccounted for.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has warned that anyone aiding the escapees would be arrested and prosecuted. In addition to Weeden, three other individuals have been charged in connection with the jailbreak. This includes Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old maintenance worker, who has been accused of turning off the water supply to the inmates’ cells upon their request to facilitate their escape. Williams has been arrested and charged accordingly.
Two women also face accessory charges: 32-year-old Cortnie Harris and 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste. Harris’s bond has been set at $2.5 million, while Baptiste’s bond is set at $1 million.
The escapees include individuals charged with serious violent crimes, including murder. As of May 22, authorities have successfully captured five of the ten escapees: Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Kendall Myles, Gary Price, and Corey Boyd. Meanwhile, the remaining fugitives still on the run are Derrick Groves, Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Lenton Vanburen, and Antoine Massey, with Groves, Donald, and Vanburen all facing charges of second-degree murder.
The Orleans Parish District Attorney, Jason Williams, has raised concerns about the law enforcement response following the escape. He criticized Sheriff Susan Hutson for not requesting a crime scene investigation at the jail, expressing alarm over the lack of immediate action taken to secure the area for potential evidence gathering.
Authorities have initiated a significant search operation, with over 200 personnel involved. However, public mistrust in law enforcement and the criminal justice system complicates the manhunt’s effectiveness. The escape has ignited community discussions regarding police treatment of residents and historical instances of misconduct. Many local residents have voiced their frustration about the perceived ineffectiveness of law enforcement in their neighborhoods, further intensifying the scrutiny of the situation.
The investigation and manhunt efforts are being led by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police, who are committed to locating the remaining escapees and ensuring community safety. As the search continues, the collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies aims to restore public confidence in the justice system while addressing concerns raised by the community at large.
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