How As the search continues for two of the 10 inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail earlier this month, Louisiana authorities have now charged 13 individuals with assisting the fugitives—both during their time inside the facility and after they fled.
How From the outset, officials described the jailbreak as a carefully orchestrated operation with outside assistance. The increasing number of arrests is shedding new light on the complexity and coordination involved in the May 16 escape.
How “We will hold absolutely everyone accountable who played a role in the New Orleans prison break,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a statement Sunday, following the arrest of another suspected accomplice.
How Investigators are now analyzing jailhouse communications, including recorded phone calls, and believe additional inmates or staff members could soon face charges for aiding the escape or attempting to cover it.
How On Monday, authorities announced six new arrests, bringing the total number of alleged accomplices to 13. These individuals are accused of helping facilitate the escape both before and immediately after the inmates fled custody.
Accused of Aiding the Escape
Already in custody at the same New Orleans jail on unrelated charges, investigators uncovered his alleged involvement during their probe, authorities said. However, officials have not disclosed specific details about his suspected role in the breakout.
Sterling Williams, 33, a maintenance worker at the jail, was also arrested for allegedly assisting the escapees by shutting off the water supply to a cell where inmates tampered.
It remains unclear whether Sterling and Trevon Williams are related. Sterling Williams’ attorney maintains his client’s innocence, stating he is “fully convinced” that Williams did nothing wrong.
Accused of Assisting After the Escape
A number of individuals are facing charges for allegedly helping the escaped inmates after they broke out of a New Orleans jail. Authorities say these accomplices played various roles, including providing money, transportation, shelter, and communication support.
Emmitt Weber, 28, has been charged with accessory after the fact to simple escape, according to an announcement made by New Orleans police on Friday.
Connie Weeden, 59, is accused of transferring money via a mobile app to escapee Jermaine Donald. She faces one felony count of accessory after the fact and could face up to five years in prison and a $500 fine if convicted.
Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, allegedly stayed in contact with escapee Corey Boyd through social media and phone calls and is accused of helping provide him with food while he was hiding.
Cortnie Harris, 32, is accused of maintaining contact with one of the two still-missing escapees and helping to transport both to multiple locations around New Orleans.
New Orleans police located Smith in the city’s Third District, where he allegedly admitted to helping move the fugitives along with Harris.
Several others are charged with helping Lenton Vanburen, who has since been recaptured:
Tyshanea Randolph, 27 – charged with accessory after the fact.
Patricia Vanburen, 18 – charged with accessory after the fact.
Angel McKay, 41 – charged with accessory after the fact.
Lenton Vanburen Sr., 48 – charged with accessory after the fact.
Police have not confirmed whether any of these individuals are related to Lenton Vanburen.
“These arrests were the result of a multi-agency collaborative investigation involving local, state, and federal partners,” Louisiana State Police said in a statement on Monday.
Other Inmates May Have Helped Hide Escape Route, Source Says
Investigators believe additional inmates played a role in the New Orleans jailbreak by supplying materials used in the escape and helping cover it up afterward, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation told CNN.
The escapees reportedly broke into a handicapped-accessible cell and slipped out through a hole in the wall behind a toilet. According to the source, fellow inmates are suspected of reattaching the toilet to the wall after the breakout to hide the hole and delay discovery of the escape.
Escapees Used Hair Trimmers to Cut Through Walls, Source Says
The inmates used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to cut through the cell walls during their escape, according to a source familiar with the investigation. It remains unclear whether such equipment is normally accessible to inmates, as the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has not responded to CNN’s inquiries about jail policies on barber tools.
The same source said other inmates are also believed to have supplied towels that helped the escapees climb over the barbed wire fence surrounding the facility.
Orleans Parish Sheriff and Jail Face Mounting Scrutiny After Escape
The investigation into the recent jailbreak has expanded to include not only the escapees and their alleged accomplices but also the Orleans Justice Center itself and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office responsible for running it.
As part of that response, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has launched a formal audit of the Orleans Justice Center—the first such review in over a decade.
During a contentious city council meeting last week, Hutson was pressed on whether ongoing issues at the jail are due to underfunding or mismanagement. In her remarks, she accepted responsibility for the security breakdown but also highlighted the alleged involvement of jail employees in the escape.
“There were procedural failures and missed notifications,” Hutson said. “But there were also intentional wrongdoings.
Just hours after that meeting, Hutson announced she was suspending her reelection campaign. In a public statement, she said, “I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs.”