The sweeping manhunt sparked by a Louisiana Prison Break has led to seven arrests of alleged accomplices accused of assisting ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans on May 16.

With five escapees still at large, investigators are uncovering the extent of a carefully orchestrated operation that may involve additional inmates and jail employees.

“This was a coordinated effort aided by individuals inside our own agency who made the choice to break the law,” Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said during a tense city council meeting.

“There were procedural failures. And missed notifications. But there were also intentional wrongdoings.”

A Bold Louisiana Prison Break

The inmates escaped through a hole hidden behind a toilet in a handicapped cell. They used electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to cut through the cell wall, then replaced the toilet to hide the escape route. Towels were reportedly used to scale the barbed wire surrounding the facility.

A separate CNN report reveals that a maintenance worker allegedly shut off the water to the cell, enabling the inmates to remove plumbing fixtures.

A source with knowledge of the investigation said the jail’s inmates may have supplied tools and covered up the escape path afterward.

Accused of Assisting in the Escape

So far, seven people have been arrested for allegedly helping the inmates, either before or after the escape. Charges range from principal to simple escape to accessory after the fact:

“As I promised when we initiated our investigation, we will hold absolutely everyone who contributed any role to the prison break in New Orleans accountable,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a statement.

• Sterling Williams, 33 – The jail maintenance worker was arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees by turning off the water to the cell where they disconnected the plumbing to escape. According to his arrest warrant affidavit, Sterling Williams told authorities that inmate Antoine Massey – one of the escapees still at large – threatened to “shank” him if he didn’t turn off the water. 
• Trevon Williams, 23 – Assisted from inside jail; 10 counts of principal to simple escape. It is uncertain if Trevon Williams and Sterling Williams are related.
• Emmitt Weber, 28 – Helped after escape; charged with accessory after the fact.
• Connie Weeden, 59 – Louisiana State Police arrested Weeden. Sent money to escapee Jermaine Donald via Cash App. She is facing one felony count of accessory after the fact. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $500 fine.
• Corvanntay Baptiste,38 – Allegedly contacted Corey Boyd via social media, then delivered him food and aided in communications while he was on the run. Baptiste has been charged with one count of accessory after the fact.
• Cortnie Harris, 32 – Transported two fugitives to two different New Orleans locations post-escape. Louisiana State Police charged Harris with one count of accessory after the fact.
• Casey Smith, 30 –Police said Smith admitted aiding the fugitives’ transport, along with Cortnie Harris. She was booked with accessory after the fact to simple escape charges.

Five Inmates Still at Large, Five Recaptured 

The inmates who remain at large: Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate, and Lenton Vanburen.

Inmates who have been recaptured are Corey Boyd, Dkenan Dennis, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, and Gary Price.

Internal Failures and Institutional Scrutiny

Sheriff Hutson admitted to “procedural failures” and is now facing political fallout.

Hours after addressing the New Orleans City Council, she suspended her reelection campaign, saying, “I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs.”

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office is under investigation, and the jail is undergoing a long-overdue audit by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections.

Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order mandating a multi-agency response to the escape.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams noted that the Crime Lab director visited the scene after the fact. The DA has implied that there was a delay in the sheriff’s response: 

He claims that the Sheriff’s Office did not request forensic processing of the scene.

Looking Ahead: More Arrests Likely

Investigators are reviewing phone recordings and other communication logs and believe more people—possibly additional inmates or jail staff—may be charged.

“We’re looking at everything,” said a source close to the investigation. “This wasn’t just a matter of negligence. This was intentional, coordinated, and far-reaching.”

This investigation continues to unravel a deeply troubling story of institutional failure. The brazen Louisiana prison break led to the discovery of a criminal network that operated from within and beyond the jail walls.

In the meantime, authorities warn that the search for the remaining five fugitives remains active and dangerous.

Update: Three more of the 10 inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail were re-arrested. They were captured Monday in two different states after more than a week on the lam.