Maintenance Worker Arrested in Connection with New Orleans Mass Jailbreak
Authorities have arrested a maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish Justice Center in connection with the mass escape of 10 inmates from the New Orleans facility last Friday. The worker, identified as 33-year-old Sterling Williams, was taken into custody and now faces serious charges, including 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office. His bond has been set at $1.1 million.
The jailbreak, one of the largest in recent U.S. history, unfolded early Friday morning. According to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, inmates first managed to dislodge a faulty sliding cell door. Their escape route then involved removing a sink-toilet combination unit from the wall, exposing a hole used for piping. Using an unknown tool, they allegedly cut through steel bars behind the fixture before squeezing through the gap. Messages scrawled near the escape hole, including “To Easy LoL” with an arrow and a smiley face, were later found, seemingly mocking the ease of the breakout.
Accusations and Conflicting Accounts
Investigators allege that Williams played a critical role in facilitating the escape. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill stated that Williams is accused of turning off the water supply to the specific cell’s toilet. This action was crucial because attempting to remove the fixture with the water on would have likely flooded the cell and potentially alerted staff.
According to court documents and his statements to authorities, Williams claims he was coerced into assisting the inmates. He reported that one of the escapees, identified as Antoine Massey (who remains at large and has a history of prior escapes), threatened him with a “shank,” a makeshift knife, if he did not comply and turn off the water.
However, Attorney General Murrill highlighted that Williams admitted to agents that an escapee had advised him to turn off the water. She stated that instead of reporting the potential escape plan or the alleged threat, Williams carried out the directive. An arrest affidavit also references video surveillance footage that reportedly shows Williams interacting with inmates, including Massey and Derrick Groves (another dangerous fugitive), in the pod shortly before the escape occurred. The affidavit asserts that Williams “willfully and maliciously assisted” the inmates.
Broader Investigation and Security Lapses
The investigation into the incident is ongoing and extends beyond Williams’s alleged involvement. Sheriff Susan Hutson acknowledged during a City Council meeting that the escape involved “procedural failures and missed notifications,” as well as potential “intentional wrongdoings” and a “coordinated effort aided by individuals inside our own agency.” Three other jail employees have reportedly been suspended as part of the probe, with more arrests possible.
Multiple security lapses have been identified as contributing factors. These include the failure of cell door locks and the fact that the inmates were reportedly unattended when they began their escape attempt, as the lone guard on duty in that area had left their post to get food.
A major point of criticism has been the significant delay in notifying external law enforcement agencies. While the escape is believed to have occurred around 1 a.m. Friday, the absence of the 10 inmates was not officially confirmed until well after the 6:30 a.m. headcount. City and state police were not notified until approximately 10:30 a.m., over nine hours after the inmates breached the facility wall. Critics, including District Attorney Jason Williams, argue this delay severely hindered the initial manhunt.
Status of Escapees and Ongoing Manhunt
Of the 10 inmates who escaped, several were being held on very serious charges, including murder and other violent offenses. As of recent reports, five of the fugitives have been recaptured by Louisiana State Police. Among those apprehended is Corey Boyd, who faced second-degree murder charges.
However, five dangerous individuals, including Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves (recently convicted of second-degree murder), remain at large. The escape has raised significant safety concerns for witnesses and victims connected to the escapees’ original cases.
Law enforcement agencies, including over 200 personnel, are actively involved in the manhunt for the remaining fugitives. Rewards of up to $20,000 have been offered for information leading to each capture. Authorities have warned that anyone found aiding or sheltering the escapees will face criminal charges. Following the security breach, approximately 60 inmates from the Orleans Parish Justice Center have been transferred to more secure state prison facilities.
Sheriff Hutson has taken “full accountability” for the breach and is cooperating with the independent investigation led by the Attorney General’s office. Amid mounting criticism, she announced she was pausing her re-election campaign to focus on restoring public trust and safety at the jail, noting the facility is currently operating at only 60% staffing capacity.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgdd95mylko
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/new-orleans-jail-employee-arrested-accused-helping-mass/story?id=121956268
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgdd95mylko
- https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-jail-escape-inmates-arrest-45f2a4be028254cc2587f50deb9af44d
- https://abc7.com/post/new-orleans-jail-escape-employee-arrested-accused-helping-mass-inmates/16482098/
