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New Orleans jailbreak: 3 inmates captured, 2 fugitives still loose

Craig Nigrelli (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer)
Three inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail have been captured in separate operations across two states. The arrests come as officials intensify the search for two fugitives still on the run after one of the largest jailbreaks in Louisiana history.
Image credit: Louisiana State Police
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Summary

Escape arrests

Three escaped inmates were captured Monday across Louisiana and Texas. Two fugitives remain at large following one of the state’s biggest jailbreaks.

Inside the escape

Inmates removed a toilet, cut through bars, and scaled a fence using blankets. A maintenance worker allegedly aided them under threat.

Broader investigation

Authorities have arrested at least 13 people accused of helping the escapees. The Department of Corrections has deployed auditors to review security failures.

Full story

Authorities captured three escaped inmates from a New Orleans jail in separate operations spanning two states. The arrests come as officials intensify the search for two fugitives still on the run after one of the largest jailbreaks in Louisiana history.

Police arrested Jermaine Donald, 42, and Leo Tate, 31, on Monday, May 26, in Walker County, Texas, after a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The two men, originally held on charges including murder, weapons violations and burglary, now face additional charges related to their May 16 escape from the New Orleans facility.

Police apprehended Lenton Vanburen, 26, in Baton Rouge, reportedly found sitting outside a department store. He had faced jail time on firearms and parole violation charges.

How did the inmates escape?

According to investigators, the inmates removed a toilet, cut through steel bars, and fled through a hole in the wall. They scaled a barbed-wire fence using blankets. A photo released by authorities showed graffiti above the toilet reading “To Easy Lol” and “We Innocent.”

Officials allege Sterling Williams, a jail maintenance worker, helped facilitate the escape by cutting off the water supply to a cell, enabling inmates to remove the toilet without triggering alarms. Williams told investigators one inmate threatened to “shank” him if he didn’t comply. Authorities have since charged him with malfeasance in office and multiple counts of being a principal to escape.

Who remains at large?

As of Tuesday, authorities have recaptured eight of the ten escaped inmates. They consider the remaining fugitives — Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27 — armed and dangerous. Courts convicted Groves of second-degree murder, and prosecutors have charged Massey with domestic abuse and vehicle theft.

Were others involved in the escape?

Authorities have arrested at least 13 people accused of assisting the escapees, including family members and jail inmates. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and phone logs, and say more charges could follow.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections has deployed auditors to examine security failures at the Orleans Justice Center.

Jonah Applegarth (Production Specialist), Devan Markham (Morning Digital Producer), and Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor) contributed to this report.
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Why this story matters

A major jail escape in New Orleans, which led to multi-state pursuits and the arrest of multiple individuals, including suspected accomplices and a maintenance worker, raises concerns about jail security, public safety and systemic oversight.

Jail security breaches

Gaps in physical security and internal procedures at the jail enabled inmates to escape by removing a toilet, cutting steel bars and exploiting system weaknesses.

Public safety concerns

The escape of inmates facing serious charges such as murder and weapons violations, and two still at large, poses ongoing risks and anxiety for the community and authorities.

Institutional oversight

The involvement of a jail employee and a broad network of alleged accomplices, along with the initiation of audits and investigations, highlights the need for increased accountability and review of correctional facility operations.

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Behind the numbers

The escape involved 10 inmates from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. According to reports, eight have now been recaptured, with two still at large. Authorities offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the capture of each escapee. Approximately 13 people have been arrested for allegedly assisting the inmates, highlighting a widespread support network and potential internal weaknesses in the jail.

Community reaction

Local officials, including the Orleans Parish District Attorney, expressed concern for staff safety, particularly after some staff left the area fearing retaliation. Community reaction has been marked by anxiety over public safety and disappointment with jail security. Authorities have requested public assistance, offering monetary rewards for information and emphasizing the importance of community vigilance during the search.

Context corner

New Orleans' jail system has faced longstanding challenges related to overcrowding, staffing shortages and maintenance issues, which have contributed to vulnerabilities like the one exploited in this escape. Multiple security audits conducted over several years have identified infrastructure and procedural weaknesses, which are exacerbated by chronic underfunding and high turnover among correctional staff, according to historical reports.

Sources

  1. Louisiana State Police via Instagram
  2. NBC News
  3. FOX News
  4. CNN
  5. Louisiana State Police via X
  6. Straight Arrow News

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left frame the New Orleans jail escape largely around institutional negligence, emphasizing absent deputy supervision and casting doubt on the maintenance worker’s culpability with terms like “fully convinced of his client’s innocence,” which injects a tone of skepticism and defense.
  • Media outlets in the center adopt a procedural tone, focusing on forensic investigations and inter-agency tensions, de-emphasizing staff innocence debates.
  • Media outlets on the right characterize the event with stark law-and-order rhetoric, using charged words such as “fugitive,” “audacious jailbreak” and “armed and dangerous” to underscore inmate threat levels and the escape’s brazen nature, highlighting numerous arrests to suggest extensive complicity.

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Media landscape

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164 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • A sixth inmate, Lenton Vanburen, was captured in Baton Rouge after escaping from a New Orleans jail earlier this month, as announced by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
  • Four escapees remain at large, while three were recaptured within the first 24 hours after the jailbreak, according to Murrill.
  • The jailbreak occurred on May 16, with ten inmates escaping; three were captured within 24 hours.
  • At least nine people have been arrested in connection to the escape, including a maintenance worker accused of assisting in the jailbreak.

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Key points from the Center

  • Three of the 10 inmates who escaped a New Orleans jail a week and a half ago were recaptured Monday in Louisiana and Texas.
  • The breakout involved cutting through thick concrete walls using electric hair trimmers, and investigators blame faulty locks and stolen blankets for the escape.
  • Seven people, including Sterling Williams, a 33-year-old maintenance worker, have been arrested for allegedly assisting with or covering up the jailbreak.
  • Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill reported that Lenton Vanburen, one of the escaped inmates, was apprehended in Baton Rouge and is expected to face new charges connected to the jailbreak.
  • Authorities continue searching for two escapees at large while officials deploy auditors and conduct forensic investigations to address security failures and prevent future breaks.

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Key points from the Right

  • Three inmates from a New Orleans jailbreak were recaptured, including Lenton Vanburen in Baton Rouge and Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald in Texas, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
  • Lenton Vanburen now faces new charges from the escape in addition to his previous charges of parole violation and possession of a firearm by a felon, stated Murrill.
  • Authorities continue to search for two escapees, Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey, while twelve individuals have been arrested for their roles in the jailbreak, including three who provided assistance after the escape, according to multiple reports.
  • The inmates escaped on May 16 by breaching a wall and climbing a fence, with multiple security failures identified as contributing factors, reported former Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman.

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Timeline

Sources

  1. Louisiana State Police via Instagram
  2. NBC News
  3. FOX News
  4. CNN
  5. Louisiana State Police via X
  6. Straight Arrow News

Timeline