10 Shocking Prison Break Stuns New Orleans
In a stunning New Orleans jail escape, ten inmates broke out of the Orleans Parish Jail in the early hours of May 16. Several of the escaped inmates in New Orleans were facing serious charges, including murder. The bold escape has raised urgent questions about internal security, with authorities suggesting that staff may have helped facilitate the New Orleans inmate escape.
The Orleans Parish Jail escape occurred just after midnight. The incident wasn’t discovered until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m. By that time, the inmates had been missing for over seven hours.
How the Inmates Escaped
Sheriff Susan Hutson detailed the timeline of the New Orleans prisoner escape in a news conference. According to her, the inmates removed a defective sliding door from its tracks at around 12:23 a.m. They then ripped a metal toilet and sink unit from the wall, uncovering a gap used for plumbing. Metal bars behind the wall had “clean cuts,” suggesting they were deliberately tampered with.
The escape route led through the hole behind the toilet, down a wall, and across a highway. Images released by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office show the vandalized jail cell and graffiti left by the inmates. One taunt scrawled on the wall read, “To Easy LoL” with an arrow pointing to the hole. Other scribbles mocked the staff, including a smiley face with its tongue out.
Source: Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office [KHOU 11]
The jailbreak appears to have gone unnoticed despite surveillance systems. Sheriff Hutson revealed that a jail staff member saw the inmates on security cameras but did not report it. “There’s no way for anyone to get out of this facility without help,” she stated.
Three Inmates Recaptured, Seven Still Missing
Photos of the escaped inmates [KHOU 11]
Ten inmates escaped, but by nightfall, three were back in custody. Kendall Myles, the first to be apprehended, was identified using facial recognition after being caught on surveillance footage in central New Orleans. He attempted to flee on foot but was found hiding under a car in a parking garage. Myles has been charged with simple escape and returned to the Orleans Parish Jail.
Later that day, Robert Moody and Dkenan Dennis were also captured. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry confirmed their arrests in a social media post: “3 down, 7 to go, and we ARE NOT slowing down! LOCK THEM UP!”
The remaining New Orleans escaped inmates are:
- Corey Boyd
- Leo Tate
- Jermaine Donald
- Derrick Groves
- Lenton Vanburen
- Antoine T. Massey
- Gary C. Price
All are considered armed and dangerous. Officials have offered a reward of up to $7,000 for information leading to their arrest.
Authorities Warn Public and Investigate Inside Help
The New Orleans Police Department, alongside the FBI and U.S. Marshals, is conducting a citywide manhunt. Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick described the New Orleans jailbreak as “urgent and serious,” urging the public to report anything suspicious. She also confirmed that victims related to some of the inmates have been notified.
It’s believed the escapees are no longer in prison uniforms and may be attempting to blend in with civilians. Sheriff Hutson emphasized that anyone found aiding the fugitives will face criminal charges.
Orleans Parish Jail Under Scrutiny
Located just 3 km (2 miles) from the French Quarter, the Orleans Parish prison is now under intense public and political scrutiny. The fact that inmates facing violent charges could escape undetected for hours has prompted calls for investigations and reforms.
The sheriff’s office has not ruled out further arrests within the department as part of the internal probe into how the 10 inmates escaped New Orleans jail.
This Louisiana inmates escape is one of the most serious in recent memory. As the manhunt continues, New Orleans remains on high alert, and residents are urged to stay vigilant.
