District Attorney Recuses from Jailbreak Investigation

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Illustration of the jailbreak at Orleans Justice Center where ten men escaped.

News Summary

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams has stepped down from the investigation into a jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center where ten men escaped. Following allegations of conflict of interest by Sheriff Susan Hutson, Williams maintains his innocence and stresses the need for his office’s involvement to preserve evidence. He criticized the sheriff’s lack of urgency in addressing the jailbreak aftermath and highlighted concerns of political motivations complicating the investigation. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to apprehend the remaining escapees.

New Orleans – Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams has recused himself from an investigation led by the Louisiana Attorney General into a recent jailbreak where ten men escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. The investigation, ordered by Governor Jeff Landry shortly after the incident, has been marred by allegations of conflict of interest involving Williams.

Initially, Williams described the inquiry as a “joint effort” with Attorney General Liz Murrill and participated in tours of the jail with her. However, after Sheriff Susan Hutson accused him of having a conflict of interest, citing personal motives and political campaigning, Williams stepped down. He denied any allegations regarding personal motivations behind his involvement in the investigation.

Williams had previously endorsed Michelle Woodfork, an employee from his office, for a run for sheriff in the 2026 elections. He argued that Hutson’s motion for recusal lacked legal grounds and maintained that it was necessary for his office to be involved to prevent the loss of evidence following the jailbreak. He also mentioned the case’s “multi-jurisdictional nature,” referencing another jailbreak incident that occurred in a different parish of Louisiana as a factor in his withdrawal.

In the wake of the escape, Williams criticized Sheriff Hutson for a lack of urgency in seeking an independent forensic examination of the jail facility. The fallout from the jailbreak has not only led to the arrest of a maintenance worker accused of assisting the escapees but has also raised concerns regarding the integrity of the sheriff’s office during the ongoing investigation. Williams expressed apprehension that the sheriff’s office could be seen as compromised until all involved in the jailbreak were identified and dealt with.

Hutson has indicated suspicions that the jailbreak might have been politically motivated, further complicating the investigation. Her motion suggested that Williams’ involvement provided an “unfair advantage” in favor of his chosen candidate for the next sheriff election, straining resources within the sheriff’s office. Multiple local and state officials, including Williams, have criticized Hutson’s handling of jail operations and her delay in alerting authorities about the escape.

Hutson attributed the jailbreak to inadequate funding that has hampered infrastructure updates and maintenance, including faulty locks. However, city and state officials have contested her claims. Murrill affirmed her commitment to leading the investigation to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Orleans Parish jail system has faced continuous issues, resulting in federal oversight since 2013. In addition to the escapees, a former jail employee allegedly aided one of the escapees, Lenton Vanburen, in communicating with his family and securing shelter. Investigators have identified at least 14 individuals, including friends and family members, who provided assistance to the escapees before and after their getaway.

Law enforcement agencies have raised the reward for information leading to the apprehension of the two remaining escapees to $50,000 each. Authorities have disclosed that the fugitives communicated with their contacts through internet phone services to evade detection. Many individuals who aided the escapees now face charges as accessories to the jailbreak.

Despite his recusal from the investigation, Williams stated he would continue to prosecute the escapees once they have been captured. As it stands, two of the ten escapees remain at large.