News Summary
Authorities in New Orleans are ramping up efforts to locate five inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center jail. As of now, five have been recaptured while the remaining escapees are still at large. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to their capture. The investigation has already resulted in multiple arrests of individuals alleged to have aided in the escape, raising critical concerns about the security within the facility.
New Orleans – Louisiana State Police and local authorities have intensified their search for five inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center jail on May 16, 2025. The escape has prompted significant law enforcement action, including helicopter searches and SWAT team deployments, as authorities work to apprehend the escaped individuals.
As of May 23, 2025, five of the ten escaped inmates have been successfully recaptured. The individuals who have returned to custody include Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Gary Price, and Corey Boyd. However, five inmates remain on the run: Jermaine Donald, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate, Lenton Vanburen Jr., and Derrick Groves. A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of each of these remaining inmates, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The search efforts have involved approximately 200 law enforcement personnel from local, state, and federal agencies. On May 20, SWAT teams were deployed to a residence near the intersection of N. Galvez and Marigny streets, while a helicopter was also utilized in the extensive search efforts in that area.
In connection with the jailbreak, several individuals have been arrested for their alleged roles in assisting the escapees. Notably, on May 23, three people were taken into custody in New Orleans East. Among them, Trevon Williams, 23, has been charged with 10 counts of suspicion of principal to simple escape. Authorities allege that he provided the inmates with a blanket and shirt to help them scale a razor wire-topped fence. His bond has been set at $2.5 million.
Two additional suspects, Lenton J. Vanburen Sr., 48, and Angel McKey, 41, are facing charges as accessories after the fact, with bonds both set at $1 million. Vanburen Sr. has a familial connection to one of the escaped inmates, Lenton J. Vanburen Jr., aged 26. McKey has a history of drug charges alongside Vanburen Sr. Emmitt Weber, 28, has also been charged as an accessory after the fact with a bond set at $1 million.
A total of nine individuals have been arrested for aiding the escapees, further illustrating the breadth of the investigation into this significant security breach. Sterling Williams, a jail maintenance worker, has been arrested for allegedly facilitating the escape, facing six counts of principal to simple escape.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is currently under scrutiny as investigations unfold regarding potential internal assistance involved in the jailbreak. Some staff members from the office have been placed on administrative leave as part of this ongoing investigation. A tip received by the sheriff’s office shortly after the escape led to the recapture of one of the inmates, underscoring the effectiveness of community cooperation in these investigations.
The jailbreak has raised serious concerns about prison security and operational protocols at the Orleans Justice Center. As the search progresses, law enforcement officials are committed to examining all angles to ensure the remaining escapees are brought back into custody and to prevent any future occurrences of such incidents.
Authorities continue to call for the assistance of the public in reporting any sightings or information pertaining to the escaped inmates. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as law enforcement efforts continue.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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New Orleans Jail Inmate Escape Leads to Multiple Arrests
Arrests Made in New Orleans Jailbreak Investigation
Inmate Arrested for Aiding Jailbreak in New Orleans
Dramatic Jailbreak at Orleans Parish Correctional Facility
Fourth Arrest Made in New Orleans Jail Break Investigation
New Orleans Woman Arrested for Assisting Jail Escape
Third Arrest Made in New Orleans Jailbreak Case
Governor Landry Responds to Orleans Parish Jailbreak
Orleans Parish Jail Worker Arrested in Major Inmate Escape
Additional Resources
- WDSU
- Wikipedia: Louisiana State Police
- NBC News
- Google Search: Louisiana inmate escape
- Fox 8 Live
- Google Scholar: Louisiana jail escape
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Louisiana prison escape
- Fox News
- Google News: Louisiana State Police
