News Summary
Trevon Williams, an inmate at Orleans Parish Jail, has been arrested for allegedly helping ten inmates escape from the facility. The escape, involving breaching a wall and climbing over a fence, remained undetected for hours. Several others are also facing charges related to the incident, raising concerns over jail security and staffing levels. As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on systemic failures within the jail to prevent future breaches.
New Orleans – Trevon Williams, an inmate at the Orleans Parish Jail, has been arrested for allegedly aiding in the escape of ten inmates from the facility. Williams faces ten counts of principal to simple escape following an investigation initiated by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. He was already incarcerated on unrelated charges, including battery of a police officer and illegal weapons possession.
The escape incident occurred on May 16, 2025, when inmates breached a wall behind a toilet and climbed over a fence linking the jail to a nearby construction site. The jailbreak went undetected for over seven hours, with authorities discovering the escape around 8:30 a.m. on May 19, 2025.
Along with Williams, several others have been arrested in connection to the escape. Casey Smith has been charged as an accessory after the fact for allegedly aiding two escapees, while Connie Weeden, 59, faces similar charges for providing cash to escapee Jermaine Donald. Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old maintenance worker at the jail, has been accused of disabling water in a cell used by the escapees upon their request. Additionally, Cortnie Harris, 32, and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, were apprehended for transporting and harboring the escapees.
As of now, five of the ten inmates who escaped have been recaptured, while five remain at large. Among those still on the run is Derrick Groves, the most dangerous fugitive, who is awaiting sentencing for a double homicide.
The actions surrounding this escape have raised significant concerns regarding the security and staffing conditions at the Orleans Parish Jail. With only 36 officers managing over 1,400 inmates at the time of the breakout, the facility is operating at just 60% of its staffing capacity. This lack of adequate oversight is prompting calls for criminal justice reform on a broader scale.
Attorney General Murrill has stressed her commitment to holding all individuals involved in the escape accountable. District Attorney Williams has indicated that additional arrests may follow as the investigation continues to unveil systemic failures within the jail. The escape has sparked widespread concern over jail security, and authorities are responding to these issues by offering rewards of up to $20,000 for information leading to the capture of the remaining escapees.
This incident not only underscores the risks posed by inadequate staffing at correctional facilities but also highlights the critical need for reforms to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and the broader community. Local authorities are working diligently to assess and rectify the failures that led to this significant lapse in security.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
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- USA Today
- WWLTV
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans jailbreak
- Google Scholar: New Orleans jail escape
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans jailbreak
