News Summary
A daring jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans has left seven inmates still at large after a coordinated escape on October 20. Authorities suspect external assistance in the breakout that saw inmates tampering with a cell door and creating an escape route. Recaptured inmates include Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis, while those still at large are considered armed and dangerous. The investigation has led to administrative leave for several jail employees, with concerns rising over the facility’s security measures.
New Orleans – Seven inmates remain at large following a daring jailbreak from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans early on Friday, October 20, 2023. Law enforcement officials believe that the escape was aided by outside assistance, as the circumstances surrounding the incident suggest significant planning and coordination.
Of the ten inmates who initially escaped, three have been recaptured: Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis. Myles, facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, was found hiding under a car in a hotel garage located in the French Quarter, roughly three miles from the jail. Moody was apprehended late Friday evening under undisclosed circumstances, while Dennis was recovered near Chef Menteur Highway. All three inmates have been transferred to a secure facility outside New Orleans for their safety and that of the community.
The seven remaining fugitives, including Corey Boyd, Lenton Vanburen, Jermaine Donald, and Derrick Groves, all face serious charges such as second-degree murder, and they are considered armed and dangerous by authorities. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is pursuing multiple active leads on the escapees, aided by tips from the public via Crime Stoppers, which has already resulted in at least one arrest.
The jailbreak occurred around 12:22 a.m. when inmates began tampering with a locked cell door. By approximately 12:42 a.m., they had created an escape route through a wall behind a toilet, leaving the jail through a loading dock. During their escape, the inmates scaled a perimeter wall using blankets to shield themselves from barbed wire, as captured by surveillance footage. Abandoned orange jail uniforms were later discovered near Interstate 10 along their route.
The incident was uncovered during a routine headcount around 8:30 a.m. when the remaining inmates were found to be missing, triggering an immediate response from law enforcement agencies. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak has revealed that no deputy was present in the pod at the time, and a civilian worker had left to procure food during the escape. Consequently, three jail employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Sheriff Susan Hutson indicated that the escape likely involved assistance from inside the jail, pointing to defective locks as a contributing factor to the failure of the facility’s security measures. Although there were 11 initial reports of escapees, this number was corrected to ten after authorities confirmed that one inmate had been transferred before the jailbreak. Repairs have been deemed urgent, with an estimated $5.2 million needed to address the lock issues alone.
As the search for the escapees continues, local residents who may be potential victims of the inmates have been relocated for safety. The FBI is assisting in the ongoing investigation and has offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the capture of the outstanding escapees. Additionally, Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,000 reward for each inmate apprehended. A larger cash reward of $50,000 is also available for leads that result in arrests related to the jailbreak.
The situation has raised serious concerns about jail security and staffing practices. Sheriff Hutson described the events as “very serious and unacceptable,” asserting that those responsible for the breach will be held accountable. The timing of the escape has prompted speculation about possible coordinated efforts amid an ongoing sheriff’s race, further complicating the investigation.
As the community and law enforcement agencies collaborate to restore safety, Sheriff Hutson and Orleans Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick continue to urge vigilance among residents and emphasize the importance of quick communication of any leads regarding the escapees.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU: New Orleans Escaped Inmate Captured
- WWLTV: Sheriff Hutson on Escaped Inmate
- NOLA: New Orleans Jail Escape and Charges
- CBS News: Mistakenly Released Inmate
- Corrections1: Last New Orleans Jail Escapee
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans inmate escape
- Google Scholar: New Orleans inmate escape
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans inmate escape
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
