A Louisiana jail worker has been arrested after allegedly aiding ten escaped inmates during a prison break from the Orleans Justice Center.
Escaped inmates had an inside man
Officials say the staff member, a maintenance worker at the facility, helped enable the coordinated breakout and is now facing multiple felony charges.
According to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Justice, 33-year-old Sterling Williams was taken into custody following an investigation into the early morning escape that took place on May 16.
Williams is accused of playing a key role in facilitating the inmates’ flight from the New Orleans jail, but claims he was forced into participating.
Surveillance footage from that night, reviewed by investigators, shows a group of inmates forcing open a door shortly after midnight.
They allegedly escaped through a hole hidden behind a toilet, broke through a wall, and made their way out using a supply dock.
Authorities said that three cameras in that section of the jail were inoperative at the time.
At 1:01 a.m., additional surveillance footage captured the inmates tossing blankets over razor wire and climbing over a fence before running across a nearby interstate.
Officials said the facility’s compromised locks and potential staff cooperation made the escape possible.
In a statement, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office acknowledged both the faulty infrastructure and the likelihood of help from inside the jail.
An investigation was immediately launched on the day of the escape, involving the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, the criminal division of the Department of Justice, and the Internal Affairs Division of the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office.
Maintenance worker alleged he was coerced into participating
Williams reportedly told investigators that he received instructions from inmate Antoine Massey to shut off water in one of the cells. He claimed Massey threatened to stab him if he didn’t comply.
Rather than report the threat, Williams is alleged to have followed the instructions, allowing the group of inmates to carry out their plan without interference from any guards.
As a result of the investigation, law enforcement officials obtained a warrant for Williams’ arrest.
He was charged with 10 counts of Principal to Simple Escape and one count of Malfeasance in Office.
After being booked at the Orleans Parish Jail, he was transferred to another correctional facility.
“This is a continuing investigation, and we will provide updates as often as possible. We will uncover all the facts eventually and anyone who aided and abetted will be prosecuted to the full extent the law allows,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
Williams made a court appearance Tuesday afternoon at Orleans Parish Magistrate Court, where the judge set his bond at $1.1 million—$100,000 for each escape charge.
If released on bond, he would be required to wear an ankle monitor and remain under 24-hour home confinement, only allowed to leave for medical or court appointments.
Five escaped inmates recaptured
The massive escape triggered a multi-agency manhunt across the region. The first three escapees were apprehended within a day, followed by two more over the next several days. The latest capture came Tuesday, nearly a week after the breakout.
One of those recaptured, 20-year-old Kendall Myles, was located in New Orleans’ French Quarter at noon on the day of the jailbreak.
He was caught after a brief foot pursuit and identified with the help of the city’s facial recognition camera system.
Myles had been incarcerated on charges of attempted second-degree murder and armed robbery. Officials also noted that he had escaped from juvenile custody on two previous occasions.
Later that evening, two more fugitives, Robert Moody and Dkenan Dennis, were found separately within the city limits.
Moody, 21, had been held on charges involving weapons and drug-related crimes, as well as attempted battery and obstruction.
Dennis, 24, faced accusations of armed robbery and illegal weapons possession during a violent crime.
On May 19, authorities located and arrested 21-year-old Gary C. Price in New Orleans. His original charges included first-degree murder, domestic abuse, and aggravated assault.
Another escaped inmate, Corey Boyd, was taken into custody on Tuesday.
Louisiana State Police said Boyd had previously been seen briefly the Friday before, only hours after the breakout.
The 19-year-old was being held on multiple serious charges: second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and threatening a public official.
“Boyd will ultimately be transported to a secure state facility outside of the area and booked for Simple Escape,” the state police posted on Facebook.
Huge reward offered for five remaining escaped inmates
Authorities are still searching for Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate, and Lenton Vanburen.
The charges they were facing at the time of the escape include murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
At a city council hearing on Tuesday, Sheriff Susan Hutson addressed the situation and accepted full accountability for the prison break, as well as for delays in alerting other agencies and the public.
It was revealed during the session that New Orleans Police Department was not informed until 10:30 a.m., even though state police were notified two hours earlier and the breakout occurred around 1 a.m.
Council members raised concerns over how the jail’s $70 million annual budget is being managed and questioned why the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is not integrated into the city’s financial tracking system, known as BRASS.
Lawmakers have now initiated a comprehensive audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
Authorities are offering a total of $20,000 in reward money for information leading to the capture of the remaining fugitives. The FBI, ATF, and Crime Stoppers are each contributing to the reward pool.
