A massive manhunt is underway in New Orleans after multiple inmates broke free from the Orleans Justice Center, prompting authorities to issue public safety warnings.
According to NewsNation, ten inmates escaped through a hole behind a toilet after tampering with defective cell locks around midnight, with law enforcement officials suggesting they received assistance from prison staff.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson revealed that the inmates managed to breach security protocols despite the presence of correctional officers. Three employees have been suspended pending an investigation into potential inside involvement. The escape wasn't discovered until a headcount at 8:30 a.m., leading to criticism over delayed public notification.
The elaborate escape plan began at 12:23 a.m. when inmates tampered with faulty cell door locks. Video surveillance captured their exit through a supply dock door at 1:01 a.m., after which they scaled a wall and fled across an interstate highway. Prison officials later discovered a hole behind a toilet that the inmates had used to break out of their cells.
Sheriff Hutson spoke at a press conference about the security problems, admitting that faulty locks remain an issue. She said efforts to fix them have been underway since she took office.
The public was not informed about the escape until nearly 10 hours later, which led to strong criticism from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. She called the delay "unacceptable."
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry took to social media platform X with stern words for the escapees. He emphasized that all fugitives would face capture and consequences for their actions. Law enforcement has announced reward money totaling $7,000 per inmate - $2,000 from Crime Stoppers and $5,000 from the FBI.
Among the escaped inmates are individuals facing serious charges, including murder, attempted murder, and weapons violations. Derrick Groves, 27, stands convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Jermaine Donald, 42, and Corey Boyd, 20, face charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
Sheriff Hutson shared her perspective on the situation:
At approximately 12:23 a.m., the detainees began tampering with a locked cell door, ultimately breaking it open. A Correctional Monitoring Technician in the Control Module was present, but the detainees were able to breach a wall behind a toilet in their housing unit which was out of view. The detainees exited the jail through a door at approximately 1:01 a.m., scaling a wall and running across the interstate shortly after. Video surveillance confirms that they exited through a door in the docks where supplies are brought into the jail.
One escapee, 20-year-old Kendell Myles, has been recaptured through facial recognition technology. Myles had previously escaped from another facility, highlighting ongoing security concerns within the Louisiana corrections system.
Law enforcement agencies have issued stern warnings about harboring or assisting the fugitives, stating that anyone providing aid will face criminal charges. Authorities are also reaching out to victims and witnesses from the inmates' trials to ensure their protection during this period.
The Orleans Justice Center remains under lockdown as investigators work to understand how the escape occurred and identify staff members who may have assisted the inmates. Sheriff Hutson has emphasized the need to focus on public safety rather than the political implications of the incident.
Ten dangerous inmates orchestrated a sophisticated escape from the Orleans Justice Center, exploiting faulty locks and possibly receiving inside assistance from prison staff.
The escape occurred around midnight but wasn't discovered until morning headcount, leading to widespread criticism of delayed public notification.
Law enforcement agencies have mobilized a comprehensive manhunt operation, offering substantial rewards for information leading to the capture of the remaining nine inmates. The incident has exposed significant security vulnerabilities within the facility and raised questions about staff involvement, resulting in three suspensions pending further investigation.
