News Summary
In connection with a recent jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Connie Weeden has been arrested for allegedly aiding one of the escapees. Weeden, along with others including a maintenance worker, faces serious charges as authorities continue to investigate the incident. The escape raised critical security concerns regarding the jail’s management and operations, triggering an audit ordered by the governor. A manhunt is underway for the remaining escapees, with law enforcement actively searching for them and a reward offered for information.
New Orleans – A third individual, Connie Weeden, 59, has been arrested in connection with the recent jailbreak that occurred at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Weeden is accused of providing assistance to one of the inmates, Jermaine Donald, both prior to and following the escape.
Weeden was arrested on May 22 in Slidell, approximately 30 miles northeast of New Orleans. She has been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact and is currently held at the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. If convicted, Weeden faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a $500 fine.
The jailbreak took place shortly after midnight on May 16, when ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center. Following the escape, five inmates were recaptured and are currently held without bond at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, while five others remain at large. The escapees face multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment, and murder.
Authorities allege that Weeden was in communication with Donald through phone calls both before and after the escape and that she sent money to him using a cell phone app. The investigation has prompted additional arrests, including that of a maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, 33, who was arrested earlier and charged with malfeasance in office and ten counts of being a principal to simple escape.
Williams is accused of playing a crucial role in the escape by disabling the water supply to a toilet, facilitating a breach in the wall that allowed the inmates to escape. He claims he acted under duress, stating that he had been threatened by inmate Antoine Massey, and reportedly had previous involvement in aiding the escape beyond that night.
In addition to Weeden and Williams, two other individuals—Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste—have been arrested. They also face felony charges for their suspected roles in aiding the escapees after the jailbreak and are currently in custody.
In response to the escape and its aftermath, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has ordered an audit of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to ensure proper compliance with jail operational standards. Sheriff Susan Hutson has announced her decision to suspend her reelection campaign amidst increasing scrutiny regarding her leadership during this incident.
The last audit of the Orleans Justice Center was conducted in 2014 and revealed chronic security issues requiring immediate attention. The escape was particularly alarming as the inmates managed to pull a toilet from the wall and scale a fence to exit the facility, raising serious concerns about staff practices and communication failures.
Authorities discovered the escape more than seven hours after it occurred, resulting in a delayed response from law enforcement and heightened fears for public safety. The ongoing investigation into the incident has prompted the deployment of auditors tasked with assessing security measures, staffing levels, and adherence to policy guidelines at the facility.
Over 200 law enforcement personnel are actively searching for the five remaining escapees, and a reward of $20,000 has been announced for information leading to their capture. The public is urged to assist in the search efforts as authorities continue to prioritize the safety and security of the community.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Governor Landry Responds to Orleans Parish Jailbreak
Orleans Parish Jail Worker Arrested in Major Inmate Escape
Inmates Escape From Orleans Parish Jail, Arrests Made
Louisiana Lawmaker Calls for Sheriff Resignation After Jailbreak
Significant Jailbreak in New Orleans Sparks Manhunt
Major Jailbreak in New Orleans Sparks Manhunt
Mass Jailbreak at Orleans Parish Justice Center
Two Arrested for Aiding Orleans Justice Center Escapees
Two Women Arrested in Orleans Jailbreak Assistance
Ten Inmates Escape Orleans Justice Center Amid Security Concerns
Additional Resources
- USA Today: New Orleans Jailbreak Investigation
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- CBS News: Fourth Arrest in New Orleans Jail Escape
- Google Search: New Orleans jail escape
- WDSU: New Orleans Inmates Escape
- Google Scholar: New Orleans jail escape
- The New York Times: New Orleans Jail Escape
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans Jail
- NBC News: Inmates Escaped from New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans jail escape
