On May 16, 2025, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The escape, facilitated by internal assistance, has led to a widespread manhunt and the arrest of 12 individuals accused of aiding the escapees. As of May 26, five inmates remain at large.
Summary Table: New Orleans Jailbreak
| Key Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Escape | May 16, 2025 |
| Location | Orleans Parish Justice Center, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Number of Escapees | 10 |
| Escape Method | Inmates removed a toilet and escaped through a hole in the wall; facilitated by a maintenance worker who turned off the water supply. (The Guardian, WSJ) |
| Inmates Recaptured | 5 (Corey Boyd, Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Gary Price) |
| Inmates Still at Large | 5 (Lenton Vanburen Jr., Jermaine Donald, Antoine Massey, Derrick Groves, Leo O. Tate Sr.) |
| Number of Accomplices Arrested | 12 (including a jail maintenance worker, jail staff, and acquaintances of escapees) |
| Charges for Accomplices | Accessory after the fact, malfeasance in office, aiding escape, among others |
| Law Enforcement Involved | New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service |
| Official Resource | Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office |
The Escape
In the early hours of May 16, 2025, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. The escape was facilitated by Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old maintenance worker, who turned off the water supply in a cell, allowing inmates to remove a toilet and access a hole in the wall. The inmates then fled through a loading dock, scaled a wall, and crossed Interstate 10.
Arrests of Accomplices
Authorities have arrested 12 individuals accused of assisting the escapees:
- Sterling Williams (33): Maintenance worker who turned off the water supply, facilitating the escape.
- Lenika Vanburen (28): Arrested for probation violation; shares last name with escapee Lenton Vanburen Jr.
- Patricia Vanburen (18) and Tyshanea “Minnie” Randolph (27): Charged with accessory after the fact; held on $1 million bond.
- Lenton Vanburen Sr. (47): Father of escapee Lenton Vanburen Jr.; arrested for aiding his son’s evasion.
- Angel McKey (40): Arrested in connection with assisting escapees.
- Emmitt Weber (28): Accused of helping two inmates after the escape; arrested in New Orleans East.
- Casey Smith (30): Allegedly assisted two escapees by transporting them to various locations.
- Cortnie Harris (32) and Corvanntay Baptiste (38): Charged with being accessories after the fact for providing food and maintaining phone contact with escapees.
- Connie Weeden (59): Allegedly gave cash to escapee Jermaine Donald via a cellphone app; charged with accessory after the fact.
- Trevon Williams: An inmate who allegedly assisted in the initial jailbreak.
Current Status of Escapees
As of May 26, 2025, five escapees remain at large:
- Lenton Vanburen Jr. (27): Charged with illegal carrying of weapons, possession of a firearm by a felon, obstruction of justice, and introducing contraband into prison.
- Jermaine Donald (42): Faces charges of second-degree murder, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and obstruction of justice.
- Antoine Massey (32): Charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation, theft of a motor vehicle, and a parole violation.
- Derrick Groves (27): Faces three counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and battery of a correctional facility employee.
- Leo O. Tate Sr. (31): Charged with simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, possession of a firearm by a felon, illegal carrying of a weapon, motor vehicle theft, and multiple drug counts.
Authorities have warned that these individuals are considered armed and dangerous.
Law Enforcement Response
The escape has prompted a multi-agency response involving the New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, FBI, and U.S. Marshals Service. Over 200 officers are involved in the manhunt. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has suspended three staff members and is conducting an internal investigation into the escape.
Official Resources
- Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How did the inmates escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center?
A1: The inmates removed a toilet and escaped through a hole in the wall, which was facilitated by a maintenance worker who turned off the water supply to prevent flooding.
Q2: How many individuals have been arrested for aiding the escapees?
A2: As of May 26, 2025, 12 individuals have been arrested for assisting the escapees, including jail staff and acquaintances of the inmates.
Q3: What charges are the accomplices facing?
A3: The accomplices face various charges, including accessory after the fact, malfeasance in office, and aiding escape, among others.
Q4: What measures are being taken to recapture the remaining escapees?
A4: A multi-agency manhunt involving local, state, and federal law enforcement is underway, with over 200 officers involved in the search.
Q5: Where can I find official updates on the situation?
A5: Official updates can be found on the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office website.
For a detailed news report on the arrests related to the Orleans jailbreak, you can watch the following video:
Nine charged in connection with massive Orleans jailbreak
For More Information Click Here
