In a significant development following the dramatic jailbreak from a New Orleans jail, three of the ten escapees were apprehended on Monday, leaving only two fugitives still at large, as confirmed by the Louisiana State Police. The capture occurred a week and a half after the inmates made their daring escape, raising concerns about jail security and the methods used for their breakout.
One of the escapees, Lenton Vanburen, was arrested in Baton Rouge, approximately 72 miles northwest of New Orleans. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the capture via a post on X, highlighting that Vanburen was caught while sitting on a bench near a department store. Originally incarcerated on charges related to a parole violation, possession of a firearm by a felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon, he will now face additional charges stemming from the escape.
Meanwhile, the other two escapees, Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald, were apprehended in Walker County, Texas, about 330 miles west of New Orleans. They were taken into custody after leading law enforcement agencies on a high-speed chase, which concluded near US 190 and Geneva. The pursuit was initiated after authorities gathered intelligence indicating that the escapees were in the Houston area, approximately 70 miles from where they were caught.
The capture of Vanburen, Tate, and Donald marks the first successful recoveries of the escapees outside of New Orleans. However, authorities are still actively searching for the remaining fugitives, Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey, who are considered armed and dangerous. In connection with the jailbreak, seven individuals have been arrested, including Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, Gary Price, and Corey Boyd, who are all back in custody.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the inmates reportedly utilized electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to cut through the cell walls. This method has raised serious concerns about the security measures in place at the facility, which have been criticized for their inadequacy. The escape has been attributed to a combination of faulty locks, stolen blankets, and an employee who allegedly assisted the inmates.
In response to the jailbreak, Murrill and Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams visited the Orleans Justice Center to oversee the ongoing investigation. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is deploying at least ten seasoned auditors to examine the circumstances surrounding the escape. Furthermore, a forensic team from the New Orleans Police Department has begun a formal analysis of the jail, as requested by Williams.
In a letter to the sheriff’s office, Williams urged for cooperation in sharing records of staff fingerprints and DNA to aid in the investigation. He emphasized the critical need to preserve all records related to the jailbreak, including surveillance video and electronic communications among staff members.
Among those arrested for their alleged involvement in the escape is a maintenance worker from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sterling Williams, who faces multiple charges, including malfeasance in office. His attorney maintains that he was simply responding to an overflowing toilet when he was accused of aiding the escapees.
In addition to Sterling Williams, six others are suspected of providing assistance to the escapees, which has prompted investigators to review past jail phone recordings. More arrests may follow as authorities investigate potential complicity among other inmates and jail staff.
The successful capture of three inmates from the New Orleans jail marks a crucial step in addressing the security failures that allowed the jailbreak to occur. As the search continues for the remaining escapees, law enforcement agencies remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure public safety and hold accountable those involved in the escape.
