It Was an Inside Job: Jail Worker Arrested After Mass Inmate Escape in New Orleans
Just as many of us suspected, that wild escape from the New Orleans jail wasn’t some random act—it was an inside job. And now, a worker who was supposed to help keep folks locked up is the one helping them break free.
According to ABC News, a jail maintenance worker identified as Sterling Williams has been arrested and booked this morning in connection with the recent mass escape.
Williams allegedly shut off the water to a jail toilet, opening up a path for 11 inmates to escape. Authorities believe he did it intentionally to help the inmates get out.
As a result, he’s facing 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office.
Three other jail employees have also been suspended while the investigation plays out.
RELATED:Inmate Who Escaped From Virginia Jail Captured In Mexico
Massive Manhunt: Who’s Been Captured, Who’s Still Out There?
Let’s get into the real: how many of these escapees are still out on the streets?
So far, four out of the eleven inmates have been recaptured.
The most recent recapture? Gary Price, 21, who was taken into custody on May 19. The others—Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis—were caught within hours after the breakout.
But that still leaves six inmates unaccounted for:
Corey Boyd, Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Lenton Vanburen, Antoine Massey.
Their ages range from 19 to 42 years old, and officials are stressing that the public stay alert and vigilant.
FBI Special Agent Jonathan Trapp addressed the media directly, saying:
“The FBI will work together to ensure that those people helping these inmates evade recapture will be held accountable. These inmates are accused of serious crimes, and until they are back in custody, we should all remain vigilant.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers are working around the clock, combing the city and surrounding parishes.
Questions Still Swirling Around Jail Security and Accountability
The fact that a jail employee was allegedly the key to the whole escape has folks raising serious questions about safety, oversight, and who we can really trust behind bars.
How does a single maintenance worker have the ability—or the nerve—to pull something like this off?
People online are already sounding off about corruption and cover-ups, and with three other employees suspended, it’s clear this goes deeper than just one man.
This isn’t the first time questions have been raised about jail conditions in New Orleans, either. Critics have long pointed to poor oversight and management at the Orleans Justice Center.
One thing’s for sure: the city has some serious explaining to do.
