Additional Coverage:
New Orleans Manhunt Continues for Escaped Inmates, Including Murder Suspects
Seven inmates, including two accused murderers, remain at large following a brazen escape from a New Orleans jail three days ago. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a stark warning to anyone involved in aiding the escapees.
“They’re going to jail as well,” Landry stated. “Not only those who helped them get out, but anyone who continues to help them hide will also face charges.”
Authorities believe the fugitives are likely still within Louisiana, possibly in the New Orleans area. “We’re going to hunt these individuals down, find them, and bring them back to a jail they can’t escape from,” Landry affirmed.
The Republican governor criticized what he calls the city’s “soft-on-crime” policies, suggesting they contributed to the escape. “The irony of the progressive promises made to this city is clear,” Landry commented during a Sunday press conference. He argued that the escape “epitomizes a progressive criminal justice system.”
Following the incident, Landry ordered a state audit of the Orleans Correctional Facility and the transfer of all state inmates from the local jail. He also directed the state inspector general to work with the Orleans Parish Sheriff to inventory all jail inmates awaiting trial or sentencing.
Ten inmates escaped the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility Friday night, their escape caught on surveillance footage. They reportedly crawled through a hole concealed behind a toilet, scaled the jail’s barbed wire fence, and fled across a nearby highway.
They left behind graffiti messages, including “To Easy LOL” and “WE INNOCENT.” Authorities suspect inside assistance, noting that a female civilian employee monitoring the pod was away getting food at the time of the escape.
The seven fugitives still at large are Jermaine Donald, 42; Antoine Massey, 33; Leo Tate, 31; Lenton Vanburen, 27; Derrick Groves, 27; Gary Price, 21; and Corey Boyd, 19. Donald and Boyd were awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges, among other offenses. Groves had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was awaiting sentencing.
A $20,000 reward is offered for information leading to the capture of each escapee. Authorities warn that they may have traveled out of state and are working with local, state, and federal partners to pursue leads.