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New Orleans jail escape: Maps and videos show how it happened

Stephen J. Beard ,  Carlie Procell   Paste BN

A New Orleans jailbreak has led to a massive manhunt while throwing a spotlight on procedural errors that led to the May 16 escape. Of the 10 inmates who fled, two remain at-large as of May 27. Those that have been recaptured are now being held at the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary.

State and local investigators continue to investigate how the escape occurred. The incident has led Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson to suspend her re-election campaign, according to a May 20 social media post.

How did the escape happen?

The inmates escaped early in the morning of May 16 by going through a hole in the wall behind a toilet in one cell, then fleeing from the building through a loading dock door. There were several phrases and doodles marked on the wall above the hole including "To easy lol", "I'm We innocent" and "Catch us when you can".

They then moved along a secure perimeter road between the Orleans Parish Jail and a building under construction. After scaling a fence, they crossed Interstate 10 and fled into a nearby neighborhood.

Jailbreak update 5 nabbed, 5 to go: Manhunt for escaped New Orleans inmates reaches 6th day

Authorities were alerted to their escape hours later after they discovered the men missing from an 8:30 a.m. headcount. A jail employee - 33-year old Sterling Williams - was arrested in connection with the escape. At least 13 people have been arrested for allegedly aiding the inmates.

Williams, a maintenance worker, told agents he turned the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped from. His bond is currently set at $1.1 million according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Which inmates escaped? How many have been caught and where?

Of the 10 inmates who escaped, five have been apprehended as of May 21. Here's a list of their current status and charges, according to The Times-Picayune:

Kendell Myles, 20

Robert Moody, 21

Dkennan Dennis, 24

Gary C. Price, 21

  • Charges: Attempted first-degree murder, six domestic offenses including aggravated second-degree battery, aggravated assault with a firearm and domestic abuse battery.
  • Status: Captured May 19 in New Orleans East.

Corey Boyd, 19

Leo Tate, 31

  • Charges: Second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Accepted a plea deal, was convicted of obstruction of justice and sentenced to 10 years behind bars.
  • Status: Captured on May 26 after a high speed chase.

Lenton Vanburen, 26

Jermaine Donald, 42

Two escaped inmates are still at-large:

Antoine Massey, 32

  • Charges: Motor vehicle theft and domestic abuse battery involving strangulation. Wanted on suspicion of kidnapping and rape.
  • Status: Escaped, at-large.

Derrick Groves, 27

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New Orleans jail employee arrested in connection with inmate escape
Sterling Williams was arrested and charged with helping 10 inmates break free from a New Orleans jail, authorities said.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office is offering a monetary reward for information regarding the remaining suspects. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or online at crimestoppersgno.org.

Contributing: Chris Powers

Read more:

'Fear of retribution' in New Orleans: Mass jail escape brings a big uneasy.

Two women arrested for helping fugitives as manhunt in New Orleans escape reaches 6th day

New Orleans jail escape: What are the odds that all fugitives will be caught?

Reward increases as search for escaped New Orleans inmates intensifies

FBI joins search for prison escapee known as 'Devil in the Ozarks'

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