Law enforcement officials investigating the New Orleans jailbreak.
Ten inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail, triggering a manhunt for two fugitives who remain at large. Authorities revealed that numerous accomplices aided the escapees before and after their breakout, with some facing felony charges. The jailbreak raised questions about the jail’s security infrastructure. Authorities are offering rewards for tips leading to the capture of the remaining fugitives, both known for violent backgrounds.
New Orleans – Ten men escaped from a New Orleans jail on May 16, prompting a widespread manhunt for the remaining fugitives, Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey. Law enforcement officials revealed that at least 15 accomplices provided vital assistance to the escapees, including food, cash, transport, and shelter both before and after the jailbreak.
The escape was executed shortly after 1 a.m. when the inmates cut a hole behind a toilet in their cell. Surveillance footage later captured them slipping through a loading dock. The chaos following the breakout saw many individuals implicated in aiding the escapees, some of whom have already faced felony charges as accessories after the fact, with bonds set at over $1 million.
Among those arrested is Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker accused of helping the escapees by shutting off the water supply to their cell after being threatened by Massey. A former jail employee has also been implicated for driving escapee Lenton Vanburen to a relative’s home and facilitating FaceTime communication with family on the day of the escape.
Corey Boyd, another escapee, was recaptured on May 20 while hiding in an apartment. Law enforcement indicated that he was using internet phone services to contact accomplices and sought financial support while threatening violence to enforce his demands.
Authorities are focusing their efforts on locating Groves and Massey, emphasizing the value of information from friends and family. A reward of $50,000 per fugitive is currently offered for tips leading to their capture, as officials believe the two may have fled to other cities.
Continuing investigations revealed that many accomplices misled authorities during interrogations and facilitated financial transactions through mobile apps. Some of these individuals even contacted relatives to manage resources for the escapees. One woman who assisted Massey had a history of domestic abuse from him and falsely reported his whereabouts.
Authorities report that a significant number of individuals linked to Vanburen are facing felony charges. Vanburen himself alerted his sisters about his escape and aimed to reach out to a female accomplice through a so-called “clean phone.” He was captured in Baton Rouge, along with two men accused of providing him with shelter and cash.
The jailbreak also raised questions about the infrastructure and management of the jail itself. Issues such as defective locks and nonoperational security cameras have been highlighted, suggesting systemic failures that contributed to the ease of the escape. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has faced criticism regarding the state of the jail and the lack of a timely response to the incident.
Attorney General Liz Murrill has indicated that improvements are vital for the jail, stressing that overcrowding and infrastructure problems must be urgently addressed to prevent any future escapes. Meanwhile, District Attorney Jason Williams has recused himself from the investigation due to alleged conflicts of interest linked to the case.
As law enforcement agencies, both local and federal, continue to pursue Groves and Massey, they remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure that justice is served and similar incidents are prevented in the future. Eight of the ten escapees have already been recaptured, but authorities remain cautious as they hunt for the two remaining fugitives, both known for having extensive violent criminal backgrounds.
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