News Summary
Louisiana State Police have arrested Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste for allegedly assisting inmates in their escape from the Orleans Justice Center. Both face felony charges for providing support to fugitives on the run. Harris is accused of transporting escapees, while Baptiste is implicated in providing food to an escapee in hiding. The investigation continues as law enforcement seeks the remaining fugitives from the jailbreak, which occurred under questionable security conditions. A multi-agency effort is underway, with a reward offered for information leading to the capture of those still at large.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Louisiana State Police announced the arrest of two individuals on Wednesday for their alleged roles in aiding inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center during a jailbreak on May 16. The arrested individuals, Cortnie Harris, 32, from New Orleans, and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, from Slidell, have each been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact.
Both Harris and Baptiste are accused of assisting fugitives who managed to break out of the Orleans Justice Center, with Harris reportedly in contact with one of the five inmates still at large shortly before the escape. Following the jailbreak, security officials allege that Harris drove two of the escapees to various locations in New Orleans, helping them evade law enforcement.
Baptiste is also implicated in the case, having communicated via phone and social media with escapee Corey Boyd, who has since been recaptured. Authorities stated that Baptiste provided food to Boyd while he was hiding in a residence. Both Harris and Baptiste are currently booked at the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center as the investigation continues.
Under Louisiana law, being convicted of accessory after the fact can lead to serious penalties, including up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $500. Louisiana State Police have emphasized that anyone who aids fugitives can be prosecuted, particularly directing attention to the threats posed to community safety as the search continues.
In total, five of the ten escapees from the May 16 incident have been recaptured, while five remain at large. In response to the ongoing crisis, law enforcement is conducting a multi-agency search for the remaining fugitives. A reward of up to $20,000 per fugitive is being offered for information leading to the capture of those still evading authorities.
The mass escape began shortly after midnight on May 16, when inmates managed to break through defective cell locks and cut through steel bars at the Orleans Justice Center. Notably, security cameras in several parts of the jail were non-functional at the time of the escape, raising additional concerns regarding facility management and security oversight.
In light of the situation, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has accepted responsibility for the handling of the escape and acknowledged the delay in notifying law enforcement and the public about the jailbreak. The circumstances surrounding the escape have prompted the sheriff’s office to undergo an audit to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Concerns among victims and prosecutors involved in ongoing cases are escalating as the situation develops. The sheriff’s office is facing increased scrutiny as the attempts to recapture the remaining fugitives continue. The investigation into the jailbreak is ongoing, with authorities reviewing all available evidence and pursuing leads.
In a related development, a jail maintenance worker named Sterling Williams had previously been arrested for allegedly assisting in the escape, marking him as the first non-inmate charged in connection with the jailbreak case.
The ongoing investigation serves to remind the community of the importance of vigilance and the consequences of aiding fugitives in evading law enforcement.
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Fifth Inmate Recaptured After New Orleans Jailbreak
Jailbreak in New Orleans Involves Maintenance Worker Arrest
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Additional Resources
- WWLTV: New Orleans Jail Escape
- Fox News: New Orleans Jailbreak Arrests
- Fox 8 Live: Louisiana State Police Recapture
- USA Today: New Orleans Jailbreak Inmates
- News Nation: Arrested In New Orleans Jailbreak
- Google Search: New Orleans Jail Escape
- Wikipedia: Orleans Justice Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jail
- Google News: New Orleans Jail Break
