- A New Orleans jail worker helped inmates escape by disabling a toilet’s water, enabling 10 men to flee through a cell wall hole.
- Security failures and delayed reporting worsened the situation, allowing hours before police were notified.
- Five inmates remain free, and authorities continue investigating staff involvement and searching for the fugitives.
A New Orleans jail maintenance worker faces arrest after admitting he helped inmates escape by turning off the water to a toilet covering a hole in a cell wall. This action allowed 10 inmates to squeeze through the gap and break out. Authorities call this one of the largest jailbreaks in recent U.S. history. Early on Friday, the inmates pulled open a faulty cell door, moved the toilet, and slipped through the hole. They even left graffiti that read “To Easy LoL” with an arrow pointing to the escape route.
Corey Boyd: Fifth Escapee Caught, Charged with Murder
State police caught Corey Boyd on Tuesday evening, making him the fifth escapee arrested. Boyd faces second-degree murder charges. He allegedly killed a man who caught him trying to break into a car in April 2024. According to reports, Boyd struck the victim with a vehicle before someone else shot the victim. He pleaded not guilty. Boyd’s arrest marks some progress but five other inmates remain free.
Multiple Security Failures Led to Jailbreak and Delayed Response
Officials say the jailbreak exposed many security flaws. The cell locks were faulty. The inmates escaped when the only guard watching them went to get food. The guard failed to report their absence for hours. Many of the inmates were charged with or convicted of violent crimes, including murder. The delayed reporting meant law enforcement learned about the escape only after more than nine hours. This delay frustrated officials and the public alike.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson Takes Full Responsibility
At a New Orleans City Council meeting, Sheriff Susan Hutson accepted full accountability for the escape. She said procedural mistakes and missed notifications happened. She also stated that some inside the sheriff’s office deliberately broke the law. Hutson vowed to find and punish everyone involved. However, she admitted the jail struggles with staffing and currently runs at only 60% capacity. She warned that inmates might be left unattended again because of this shortage.
Jail Maintenance Worker Sterling Williams Arrested for Assisting Escape
Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old maintenance worker, became the first staff member arrested in connection with the escape. He admitted that an inmate asked him to turn off the water in the cell so the inmates could escape without flooding it. Williams faces 10 counts of helping the escape and one count of misconduct in office. His bond totals $1 million. Williams’ lawyer said he plans to plead not guilty. Family members have not commented on the case.
Williams Claims Threats Led to His Cooperation, Officials Respond
Williams said an inmate threatened to stab him if he did not turn off the water. Another inmate tried to take his phone and asked him to bring a book with cash app details. Attorney General Liz Murrill said Williams made poor choices and should have reported the threats immediately. Councilmember Oliver Thomas emphasized the sheriff’s office must protect employees and create a safe space for reporting threats. Thomas insisted inmates must never control the jail or threaten workers.
How Inmates Escaped Physically: Removing Sink-Toilet Unit and Cutting Bars
Sheriff Hutson explained that the inmates removed a sink-toilet combo unit from a cell. Then they cut steel bars behind the sink and bent them to create an opening. Authorities do not know what tool the inmates used to saw through the bars. Investigators suspect that staff helped the escape plan. Three employees have been suspended, and the investigation continues.
Jail Officials Delayed Reporting and Police Scrutinize Sheriff’s Office
Officials admitted the jail delayed reporting the escape for hours. Usually, guards start a headcount at 6:30 a.m., which takes less than an hour. On the day of the escape, the jail took more than two hours to confirm inmates were missing. Police only learned about the escape at 10:30 a.m., nine hours after it occurred. Councilmember J.P. Morrell criticized the delay, saying local police have greater resources and should have been notified immediately. Sheriff Hutson admitted personnel failures caused the delay.
Five Escapees Still on the Run, Causing Fear in the Community
Five inmates remain free after the escape. Many awaited trial or sentencing on violent charges, including murder. Attorney General Murrill acknowledged that victims and witnesses feel scared and unsafe. Local resident Christian Padilla said he felt relief after Boyd’s arrest. “That’s one less to worry about on the streets,” Padilla said. The sheriff’s office deployed over 200 officers to search for the fugitives. Authorities offer up to $20,000 for tips leading to their capture.
Notorious Fugitive Antoine Massey Among Those Still Free
One dangerous escapee still at large is Antoine Massey, who threatened to stab Williams. Massey escaped a jail in northeast Louisiana in 2019 and was caught the same day in Texas, 300 miles away. He reportedly cut a hole in a chain-link fence and slipped through while an accomplice waited with a car. Police warn anyone who aids the fugitives will face charges.
Police Believe Most Escapees Remain in New Orleans Area
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick believes most escapees remain in the city limits. The sheriff’s office transferred about 60 inmates to state prisons with tighter security. Officials hope these moves prevent further problems inside the jail.
