Law enforcement searches the streets of New Orleans for the escaped inmates.
A manhunt is underway in New Orleans as seven inmates remain at large after a jailbreak from Orleans Parish Jail. Ten inmates escaped, with authorities apprehending three. Surveillance footage shows at least two escapees in the French Quarter, heightening the urgency to locate the remaining fugitives. Law enforcement has increased rewards for information leading to their capture, while concerns about jail security have prompted an investigation into the incident and the aging infrastructure of the facility.
New Orleans is in the midst of an urgent manhunt as seven inmates remain at large following a jailbreak from the Orleans Parish Jail. The escape, which occurred around 1 a.m. on May 16, 2025, saw a total of ten inmates break free, but only three have since been captured.
New surveillance video unveiled shows two of the escapees walking along the French Quarter near HUSTLER Hollywood on Bourbon Street. This footage, timestamped before 10 a.m. on May 16, includes Kendell Myles, 20, who was later apprehended around 11:30 a.m. hiding beneath a car at Hotel Monteleone. He has since been re-booked for simple escape. The identity of the second inmate in the video remains unknown while the manhunt for the remaining seven continues.
On the same day, authorities captured Robert Moody, 21, and Dkenan Dennis, 24, after receiving tips from the public. Moody was located in the 3500 block of Second Street, and Dennis was apprehended near Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East. Following their capture, all three recaptured inmates were relocated to a state prison.
The situation remains critical as seven inmates are still unaccounted for, prompting law enforcement to issue a call for public assistance. The FBI has increased the reward for information leading to the capture of each of the seven remaining escapees to $10,000. Additionally, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has offered $5,000 per inmate, and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has raised the Crime Stoppers reward to $5,000 each.
The inmates escaped by pulling a “defective” cell door off its tracks and fleeing through a hole behind a toilet. Security footage captured the escapees tampering with the cell door just before their breakout. It wasn’t until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m. that the escape was discovered.
Concerns have been raised regarding the aging infrastructure of the Orleans Parish Jail, which houses around 1,400 inmates, including those charged with violent crimes. Sheriff Susan Hutson indicated that the escape may have been assisted by individuals within the sheriff’s department, and as a result, three sheriff’s office employees have been suspended without pay while an internal investigation is conducted.
In response to the dire situation, Governor Landry announced that the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office would lead an investigation into the jailbreak. Furthermore, he ordered an audit of the Orleans Parish Prison to ensure compliance with basic jail guidelines. The efficiency of the sheriff’s office and the wider justice system have come under scrutiny, with criticism being directed towards their handling of jail security and inmate management.
Law enforcement officials have warned the public to remain vigilant, as several of the escapees are considered dangerous. Some of the inmates involved are facing serious charges, including murder and attempted murder. The incident has raised serious concerns regarding public safety and has been described as one of the worst jailbreaks in recent state history.
As the manhunt continues, authorities prompt anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the escapees to contact the FBI or local Crime Stoppers. Tips from the public have already proven vital in the capture of some escapees, underscoring the importance of community involvement in ensuring the safety of the area.
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