On May 16, 2025, the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans became the scene of a shocking jailbreak that has left the city reeling. Ten inmates, including some charged with serious crimes like murder and armed robbery, escaped through a hole behind a toilet, exposing glaring security flaws and sparking a massive manhunt. As of May 24, five of these fugitives remain on the run, and the unfolding investigation has revealed a troubling web of incompetence, alleged insider help, and a growing conspiracy. This incident, as a retired FBI agent warned, “should get everyone’s attention” due to its implications for public safety and the state of the city’s jail system.
The Escape: A Bold and Brazen Breakout
The escape unfolded in the early hours of May 16, when ten inmates slipped out of the Orleans Parish Justice Center, a facility run by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Security footage captured the group scaling a wall using blankets and fleeing across a nearby interstate, some even changing clothes in a neighborhood to evade capture. The breakout went unnoticed for hours, only discovered during a morning headcount, highlighting significant lapses in oversight.
Among the escapees were dangerous individuals, including a convicted murderer, raising immediate concerns about public safety. The FBI, ATF, and local authorities quickly mobilized, offering $20,000 rewards per fugitive for information leading to their capture. By May 21, five inmates had been recaptured, including Corey Boyd, nabbed at his grandmother’s apartment, and another inmate who was caught for the second time after a prior escape attempt. However, five others—Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Lenton Vanburen, and Antoine Massey—remain at large, considered armed and dangerous.
A System in Crisis: Staffing Shortages and Oversight Failures
The escape has cast a harsh spotlight on the Orleans Parish Justice Center’s systemic issues. A retired FBI expert pointed to chronic staffing shortages and inadequate oversight as key factors that allowed the breakout to occur. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams criticized Sheriff Susan Hutson for failing to order a proper crime scene investigation, potentially compromising critical forensic evidence. This lack of protocol has fueled concerns that the full scope of the escape—and any internal involvement—may never be fully uncovered.
Three jail employees have been placed on administrative leave due to errors that facilitated the escape, and the facility was placed on full lockdown following the incident. Surveillance footage obtained by WDSU showed some inmates’ movements in the first 24 hours, including two fugitives spotted walking through the French Quarter, blending into the city’s bustling streets. These revelations have deepened public mistrust in the jail’s ability to secure its inmates and protect the community.
A Growing Conspiracy: Insider Help and Arrests
As the manhunt continues, investigators have uncovered evidence of a broader conspiracy. Seven individuals, including another inmate and a maintenance worker named Sterling Williams, have been arrested for allegedly aiding the escapees. Williams, aged 33, claimed he was coerced, stating an inmate threatened to “shank” him if he didn’t assist by turning off water to a toilet—a move that was part of the escape plan. His attorney, Michael Kennedy, argued that Williams was simply doing his job unclogging a toilet, not intentionally aiding the breakout.
Two women, Cortnie Harris (32) and Corvanntay Baptiste (38), were also arrested and charged with felony counts of being accessories after the fact for helping the fugitives. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has vowed to hold all accomplices accountable, emphasizing the severity of the conspiracy. The involvement of outside help and potential insider assistance has raised alarms about the jail’s vulnerabilities and the ease with which inmates orchestrated their escape.
The Community’s Fear and the Ongoing Manhunt
With five inmates still at large, New Orleans residents are on edge. Posts on X reflect a sense of urgency, with users warning that the fugitives “could be anywhere” and urging the public to stay vigilant. The escapees’ ability to evade capture for over a week, coupled with their serious criminal charges, has heightened fears. Authorities have appealed for public assistance, stressing that anyone helping the fugitives will face consequences.
The manhunt, now in its ninth day, is complicated by New Orleans’ history of mistrust in law enforcement. Community members may hesitate to come forward with tips, slowing the search. Meanwhile, the escape has drawn national attention, with experts and officials calling for reforms to address the jail’s staffing and security issues to prevent future incidents.
A Wake-Up Call for New Orleans
The Orleans Parish jailbreak is more than a local news story—it’s a stark reminder of the consequences of systemic failures in the criminal justice system. As the search for the remaining fugitives continues, the city grapples with questions about accountability, safety, and trust. The retired FBI agent’s warning rings true: this escape demands everyone’s attention, not just in New Orleans but across the nation, as a cautionary tale of what happens when oversight falters and dangerous individuals slip through the cracks.
