News Summary
A coordinated jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center led to ten inmates escaping during a routine lockdown. The escape, facilitated by tampering with a cell door and digging behind a metal toilet, initiated a multi-state manhunt. Authorities are investigating the security breaches and delayed public notification, while three of the escapees have already been recaptured. Significant concerns have been raised regarding the safety of the community and the functioning of the sheriff’s office.
New Orleans – Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center shortly after midnight on May 16, 2025, in what authorities are calling a coordinated jailbreak that has initiated a multi-state manhunt. The escape occurred during a routine lockdown when a corrections technician temporarily left the inmates unattended.
The inmates tampered with a door to Cell Delta 1006, gaining access to a handicap cell where they dug behind a metal toilet, creating an opening that led to their escape. Notably, the inmates left behind a message on the wall, “To Easy LoL.” The group comprised men aged from 19 to 42, facing serious charges including murder, aggravated assault, and domestic abuse battery.
To facilitate their escape, the inmates reportedly used toiletries to remove a toilet and sink, as well as bolts in the cell, suggesting a well-thought-out plan. Authorities have also discovered that at least one steel bar had been intentionally cut, indicating premeditated actions. Approximately 40 minutes after the escape began, the inmates exited through a loading door and fled.
Video surveillance captured the inmates as they fled, showing them running and climbing a fence along Interstate 10, using blankets to shield themselves from barbed wire. They crossed multiple lanes of traffic and even train tracks before discarding their jail jumpsuits.
The escape was not immediately recognized. A headcount conducted at 8:30 a.m. that day revealed the absence of inmates, initially reporting 11 missing before settling on 10. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has launched a manhunt that spans across Louisiana and seven neighboring states including Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Tennessee in an effort to locate the escapees.
A significant concern regarding this incident is the delay in notifying the public. New Orleans city officials were not informed promptly, with the public receiving a warning nearly 10 hours after the breakout. The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office expressed outrage over the lack of timely information, especially considering that several of the escapees had threatened witnesses in past incidents.
In response to the situation, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office activated its emergency protocols to manage the chase for the escapees. However, the sheriff’s office reported being understaffed and underfunded, which they noted as factors contributing to the security breaches. Subsequently, three jail employees have been suspended without pay while an internal investigation into the escape is ongoing. The sheriff also highlighted defective locks and non-operational security cameras as contributing issues to the jailbreak.
As of now, three of the ten escapees have been recaptured. Kendell Myles was discovered hiding under a car, Robert Moody was arrested in Central City, and Dkenan Dennis was taken into custody in New Orleans East. The Louisiana Attorney General has announced an increased reward of $10,000 for information leading to the apprehension of the remaining escapees, with contributions from the FBI and other agencies.
This escape has highlighted broader systemic issues within the Orleans Parish jail, particularly concerning security deficiencies and staffing shortages. Investigations are currently ongoing to ascertain how the escape was managed and whether any inside assistance facilitated the jailbreak.
Governor Jeff Landry characterized the incident as potentially the largest jailbreak in Louisiana history, demanding accountability from the sheriff’s office. Public safety concerns have surged, particularly among the families of victims associated with some of the escapees.
As the manhunt continues, law enforcement agencies are collaborating to locate the remaining inmates, aiming to restore safety and order in the community.
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Additional Resources
- WDSU: New Orleans Jail Inmate Escape Lockdown
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- CBS News: New Orleans Inmates Escape Update
- Google Search: New Orleans jail escape
- NBC News: Manhunt for Remaining Inmates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Louisiana
- USA Today: 7 Inmates at Large
- Google News: New Orleans inmate escape
- WWLTV: New Orleans Jail Escape
