News Summary
The manhunt for seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center continues as authorities increase the reward for information leading to their capture. Federal and state agencies are offering $30,000 for tips for each escapee. Three inmates have been recaptured, but the remaining four are still at large. Officials are also investigating potential inside assistance for the escape, raising concerns about security at the facility. Governor Landry has ordered an audit of the Orleans Parish Prison as the search expands.
New Orleans – The reward for information leading to the capture of seven inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center has been increased as the manhunt entered its third day on May 18, 2025. Federal and state authorities are now offering a total of $30,000 for tips that lead to the arrest of each inmate, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The inmates escaped the facility around 1 a.m. on May 16, utilizing a hole behind a toilet and sink in their cell to flee. According to authorities, law enforcement has recaptured three of the escapees: Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis. However, Corey Boyd, Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Lenton Vanburen, Antoine T. Massey, and Gary C. Price are still at large, and a massive search is underway to locate them.
In efforts to boost the public’s involvement in the investigation, the FBI is offering a reward of $10,000 per inmate, while the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has set a reward of $5,000 per escapee. Additionally, Crime Stoppers has increased its reward to $5,000 per inmate, with funding support from Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and State Senator Cameron Henry.
Amid the increasing pressure to apprehend the escapees, officials are also investigating whether anyone within the prison system may have assisted the inmates in their escape. Security footage shows individuals tampering with a cell door and fleeing through a loading dock, pointing to potential inside support. Orleans Parish Chief of Corrections Jeworski Mallett indicated that it is likely the escape required outside assistance.
Colonel Robert Hodges of the Louisiana State Police has urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the search expands. Officials are concerned that some of the escapees may have already left New Orleans, complicating efforts to recapture them.
Following the escape, three employees of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office were suspended without pay for failing to report the observed escape on surveillance. This incident has sparked significant scrutiny regarding the management and transparency of the jail. The Orleans Justice Center, which housed approximately 1,400 inmates, has been criticized for deficiencies in security protocols, including malfunctioning locks and broken cameras that contributed to the escape.
The escapees face serious charges, including murder and attempted murder. Myles, Moody, and Dennis were awaiting trial on a variety of felony charges, while Boyd is charged with attempted first-degree murder, and Donald faces a second-degree murder charge. Massey, who is currently unaccounted for, is facing domestic abuse charges.
The escape was discovered during a routine headcount, which led to the activation of emergency protocols and a subsequent manhunt. However, the public was not notified of the escape for several hours, raising concerns about the facility’s communication and emergency procedures.
To ensure compliance with jail standards, Governor Landry has ordered an audit of the Orleans Parish Prison and called for a review of the cases of pre-trial detainees to consider transferring them to state custody. The ongoing investigation will also focus on how the escapees received assistance while incarcerated and whether any staff involvement contributed to the incident.
As the manhunt continues, law enforcement agencies remain dedicated to bringing all escapees back into custody and addressing the concerns surrounding the handling of the Orleans Justice Center. Residents and visitors are urged to report any information that could assist in reapprehending the individuals still on the run.
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HERE Resources
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Manhunt Continues for New Orleans Jail Escapees
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
Additional Resources
- USA Today
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- NBC News
- Google Search: New Orleans jail escape
- AP News
- Google Scholar: New Orleans inmate escape
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- CNN
- Google News: New Orleans inmate manhunt
