The latest updates on the New Orleans prison escape center on where things stand almost a week after ten inmates broke out of the Orleans Parish Prison on May 16, 2025. Authorities have recaptured half of the escapees, arrested two civilians who helped fugitives, and charged a jail worker for aiding the breakout.
Background of the prison escape
In the early hours of May 16, officials did not know inmates were gone until after 8:30 a.m. That gave the ten men a head start of more than seven hours. They squeezed through a hole in the wall behind a metal toilet in a cell pod at the Orleans Parish Prison. Then they ran through a loading dock, scaled a wall, and crossed Interstate 10, putting them on city streets by 1:30 a.m.
The jail houses people awaiting trial on serious charges. Six of the escapees face murder or attempted‐murder counts. Others faced armed robbery or weapons offences. Jail locks had been faulty, and a guard was away when the men pried open their door.
How the escape happened
First, the group pried off the sliding cell door, taking about 20 minutes. Then they removed the toilet and sink unit. Under the toilet outlet they found a gap that led to steel bars. They cut through the bars. Next, they crawled through the hole into the wall cavity. Finally, they fled down corridors, out a loading dock, up a fence, and onto the highway.
They left painted words above the hole that said “To Easy LoL” and “We Innocent.” Investigators believe those messages showed how little water in that cell had slowed guards.
Who escaped
The ten escapees range from age 19 to 43. Their names, charges, and status:
Captured (5 men): Robert Moody, D’Kenan Dennis, Gary Price, Kendell Myles, Corey Boyd.
Still at large (5 men): Lenton Vanburen Jr., Jermaine Donald, Antoine Massey, Derrick Groves, Leo Tate Sr.
All ten faced charges like murder, aggravated assault, robbery, or domestic abuse. Five remain free as of May 22, 2025.
Role of jail staff
Investigators suspect inside help. A jail maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, stands accused of aiding the breakout. He is charged with ten counts of simple escape and misfeasance in office. Prosecutors say he shut off water in the pod at an inmate’s threat. Williams’ lawyer denies he knew of any escape plan and says he only fixed a clogged toilet.
Three other employees were suspended without pay. One guard left his post for a meal when the men slipped out. Another worker watched surveillance but did not alert deputies for hours. Officials say these failures let the men vanish until routine counts showed empty beds.
How law officers responded
Once the escape was known, local, state, and federal agencies joined in. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office led the hunt. They set up checkpoints on highways and searched roadways near the jail. They used dogs, helicopters, and drones in early searches. By that afternoon, two men were picked up near the French Quarter.
Then the Louisiana State Police (LSP) issued arrest warrants for civilians who helped fugitives after the fact. Patrol officers shared photos of each man on social media with tips on calling 911 for sightings. They urged drivers to lock car doors and watch highways, since the men crossed I-10 on foot.
Arrests so far
Five inmates are now back behind bars. Kendell Myles was the first catch. He hid under a car in a hotel garage in the French Quarter around 12:30 p.m. on May 16. Then Moody, Dennis, Price, and Boyd were held in other spots in downtown New Orleans over the next two days.
Two civilians face charges for aiding the fugitives.
Cortnie Harris, 32, is accused of driving two escapees around town.
Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, allegedly left food for another fugitive.
Both face accessory charges with up to five years inside and fines. They are in custody after arrests on May 20.
How the search continues
Five men remain free. Officials say the fugitives might slip out of New Orleans or stay hidden in local buildings. They warn residents to report any sightings. They also patrol bus depots, rail lines, and ports.
To widen tips, the Sheriff’s Office offers a reward. Anyone who helps find a fugitive can get up to $2,500. Police keep names, faces, and last known clothes on their website. They may soon issue an Amber Alert-style notice if one suspect nears a school or hospital.
Impact on the jail and new measures
The Orleans Parish Prison is now under state review. Louisiana’s Attorney General joined the probe to audit jail staff, locks, and cameras. Officials paused all inmate work details until they test every lock and pipe in the pods. They also moved guards’ meal breaks to the control room, so no one leaves critical posts.
The Sheriff said he will buy new toilets that lock onto the floor in one piece. He will add more motion sensors in hallways. Then he plans frequent surprise counts at night. He wants deputies to practice escape drills like SWAT teams train for riots.
The latest updates on the New Orleans prison escape show half the men have returned to cells, two helpers face charges, and security at the jail has tightened. Yet five men still roam. You can help by staying alert, sharing any tips, and watching official channels for new info.
