(NewsNation) — A search is underway after 10 inmates escaped in New Orleans, with police warning the public that they are considered armed and dangerous.
In a press conference, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said defective locks on cells allowed inmates to escape and said that was an issue she has been trying to address since she got into office.
Hutson also condemned those who are treating the escape as a political issue.
“This is a public safety issue and we all need to continue to work together to solve it and get these folks back in custody,” she said.
The Orleans Justice Center was placed on lockdown Friday after multiple inmates escaped from the jail. According to NewsNation local affiliate WGNO, the inmates were discovered missing during a headcount around 8:30 a.m. and are believed to have escaped around midnight.
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Police released the images of 10 inmates still on the loose after 11 escaped from Orleans Justice Center on Friday. -
Robert Moody escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Leo Tate escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Lenton Vanburan escapoed from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Keith Lewis escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Jermaine Donald escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Gary Price escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Dkenan Dennis escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Derrik Groves escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department) -
Corey Boyd escaped from custody (New Orleans Police Department) -
Antoine Massey escaped from custody. (New Orleans Police Department)
The media was not told of the escape until around 10:50 a.m. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said on X that there will be an investigation into what happened and called the delay “unacceptable.”
“It’s all hands on deck. The first priority in any escape must be the immediate capture of the inmates and coordination with state and local law enforcement — but that effort cannot come at the expense of timely notification to the public,” she said.
One inmate, 20-year-old Kendell Myles, was found. According to local reporting, Myles was previously accused of escaping another facility and was identified and located based on facial recognition.
Authorities warned that anyone assisting the escapees will face charges.
Victims or witnesses from the trials of any of the inmates are also being asked to call the police so they can get protection if needed.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and other state law enforcement agencies are actively searching for the following inmates:
- Antoine Massey, 33
- Charged: Domestic abuse battery/ strangulation
- Lenton Vanburen, 27
- Charged: Illegal carrying weapons, illegal possession
- Leo Tate, 31
- Charged: Simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, possession of a firearm, illegal carrying weapon with a controlled substance
- Derrick Groves, 27
- Convicted: Second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder
- Jermaine Donald, 42
- Charged: Second-degree murder, aggravated battery, possession of firearm
- Corey Boyd, 20
- Charged: Second-degree murder, aggravated battery
- Gary Price, 21
- Charged: Three counts attempted murder
- Robert Moody, 21
- Dkenan Dennis, 24
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry took to social platform X, where he posted, “If you think this will fly in Louisiana you are DEAD WRONG. Every single one of you will be caught!”
The public is being advised to stay alert and aware.
