New Orleans Inmates Escape: What We Know
By Gabe Whisnant
The Orleans Parish Justice Center was placed on full lockdown Friday following an inmate escape.
According to officials, 11 inmates escaped, and all are considered to be armed and dangerous. Their charges range from illegal weapons possession to second-degree murder.
In a statement to Newsweek, the sheriff's office said, "The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office is putting the public on alert as deputies and partner agencies are searching for detainees who escaped custody Friday, May 16. OPSO is working with local and state law enforcement agencies on the search to return them to custody. OPSO will provide additional information as the investigation precedes."
The inmates are: Keith A. Lewis, Dkenan Dennis, Gary C. Price, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Corey E. Boyd, Lenton J. VanBuren Jr., Jermaine Donald, Antoine T. Massey, Derrick D. Groves, Leo O. Tate Sr.
According to the sheriff's office, Myles is back in custody after he was apprehended and returned by the Louisiana State Police.
"This morning, following reports of multiple inmates escaping from the Orleans Parish Jail, Troop NOLA Troopers immediately initiated investigative efforts to assist in the search. Utilizing intelligence-led techniques, Troopers successfully located Kendall Myles, one of the escapees in the French Quarter," Louisiana State Police posted on Facebook. "As Troopers attempted to make contact, the individual fled on foot. After a brief pursuit, the escapee was apprehended on Royal Street without further incident."
The statement continued, "Troopers continue to work closely with our local, state, and federal partners as the search remains active for the remaining escapees. Our priority remains the safety of the community and the swift apprehension of those still at large."
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told local reporters that "it's more than likely" the escaped inmates received assistance and have already changed out of their jail uniforms. WDSU television is reporting via local sources that the inmates dug a hole inside the jail, possibly under a toilet, to escape the prison, which is located just 1.5 miles from the city's French Quarter.
"We don't want panic, but we do want people to be mindful," she told reporters.
Sheriff Susan Hutson described the escape as "very serious and unacceptable."
At a press conference, an Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office spokesperson said the escape was discovered during a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m.
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This is a developing news story and will be updated as more information is available.
The Orleans Justice Center
The Orleans Justice Center (OJC) in New Orleans, Louisiana is shown. Orleans Justice Center
What to Know About Orleans Parish Justice Center
The Orleans Parish Justice Center is the main detention facility for New Orleans, located just outside the city's downtown core. Operated by the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, the facility sits at 2800 Perdido Street and serves as the central holding location for pretrial detainees in the parish. It replaced the city's former jail complex after Hurricane Katrina and is designed to meet modern correctional standards with a focus on safety and medical care.
The facility houses approximately 1,000 to 1,200 inmates at any given time, most of whom are awaiting trial or sentencing. Detainees include individuals charged with a wide range of offenses, from minor infractions to serious violent crimes, including murder. The center does not hold long-term state or federal prisoners, but it plays a key role in the local criminal justice system by managing those in pretrial custody or held on short-term sentences.
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