Increased security measures outside Orleans Parish Jail following inmate escape.
In New Orleans, two individuals have been arrested in connection with a jailbreak at the Orleans Parish jail. Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste face felony charges as investigations reveal potential complicity among jail staff. Additionally, maintenance worker Sterling Williams has been charged with aiding the escape. This incident raises significant concerns about jail security and procedural failures, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape and ongoing threats to the community.
New Orleans – Two individuals, Cortnie Harris (32) and Corvanntay Baptiste (38), were arrested in connection with the escape of multiple inmates from the Orleans Parish jail on Friday morning. Both have been charged with one felony count each of being accessories after the fact, as authorities continue to investigate the jailbreak that has raised serious concerns about security at the facility.
Cortnie Harris is accused of having prior communication with one of the escapees before the jailbreak and allegedly played a role in transporting two of the escaped inmates to various locations around New Orleans. She is currently at large and her whereabouts are unknown. Corvanntay Baptiste, on the other hand, was in contact with inmate Corey Boyd via phone and social media, reportedly providing food to Boyd while he was hiding from authorities. Boyd was recaptured on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recaptured inmates to five out of ten who initially escaped.
Both Harris and Baptiste are being held at the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center, but it remains uncertain whether they have secured legal representation for their charges.
In addition to the two arrests, Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish jail, has also been charged with aiding the escape. Williams allegedly cut off water supplies on the premises to facilitate the inmates’ escape plan. He faces one count of malfeasance in office and ten counts of being a principal to simple escape, with his bond set at $1.1 million.
According to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, Williams had been involved with the escape plan for several days and was initially uncooperative with investigators, giving evasive responses regarding his role in the incident.
The escape incident is significant in light of the serious charges faced by the inmates involved, including aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with a weapon, and murder. The escape has amplified scrutiny directed at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which is being criticized for procedural failures and inadequate resources that may have facilitated the jailbreak.
Prior to the jailbreak, the jail was under lockdown, but security checks were reportedly missed, and staff monitoring was inadequate. In response to the event, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has dispatched auditors to investigate the jail’s operations and security measures, with the goal of identifying potential shortcomings in the system.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has indicated that there were intentional wrongdoings by staff members that enabled the escape to occur. The ongoing investigation continues to assess the full extent of negligence and complicity that may have contributed to this severe security breach.
Community members in New Orleans are being urged to remain vigilant, as heightened security alerts have been issued throughout the city. Residents are encouraged to share any tips regarding the remaining escapees to assist law enforcement efforts. The investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests related to the jailbreak as authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding this critical incident.
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