In a dramatic overnight incident, nine inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans. Among the fugitives are several men facing serious charges, including murder. Authorities believe multiple failures allowed the jailbreak to occur.
According to Sheriff Susan Hutson, the inmates began their escape during the early morning hours. Jail staff did not discover the missing inmates until a routine headcount later that morning. That delay gave the group several hours to flee the area.
The sheriff stated the inmates took advantage of multiple security issues. First, they unlocked their cells using defective mechanisms. Then they breached a wall hidden behind a toilet. Security footage later showed the men leaving through a dock area used for supply deliveries. After that, they climbed over a perimeter wall and ran across a nearby interstate.
Officials believe the escape involved help from inside the facility. Sheriff Hutson stressed that such an escape is nearly impossible without assistance from jail staff. Investigators are now reviewing all personnel actions during the period leading up to the escape.
Authorities released a photo showing a large hole behind a toilet. Above it, the words “We Innocent” and “Too Easy LOL” were scrawled on the wall. The image raised serious concerns about the planning behind the escape and how it went undetected.
So far, one escapee, Kendell Myles, has been recaptured. Officers found him hiding beneath a parked car at a hotel. He now faces an additional charge of simple escape.
Still on the run are Antoine Massey, Lenton Vanburen, Leo Tate, Derrick Groves, Jermaine Donald, Corey Boyd, Gary Price, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis. Boyd, Donald, and Groves are all charged with murder.
The jail remains on full lockdown. Officials have increased patrols and established citywide checkpoints to help locate the escapees. The sheriff’s office has launched an internal investigation into the security failures.
This case has raised new concerns about the management of the jail. It underscores the need for urgent repairs and stronger oversight. City officials have pledged a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
For the latest crime and people news, Visit DC Brief.
