(NewsNation) — A maintenance worker has been arrested in connection with the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans jail, according to the Louisiana attorney general’s office.
Sterling Williams, 33, was arrested Monday and faces 11 charges, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
Murrill said Williams admitted to turning the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped from at their request.
The charges include 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office.
According to the affidavit viewed by NewsNation, during Williams’ interview, he reportedly told Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents he had turned off the water under the direction of Antoine Massey, who “threatened to shank him if he did not turn the water off.”
In a news conference on Tuesday, Murrill said if Williams was under threat, he had multiple opportunities to bring his concerns to authorities. She added that the report says he had malicious intent to help the inmates escape the jail.
Security cameras captured Williams talking to escapees Massey, Derrick Groves and an unidentified inmate, according to the affidavit.
Williams also told agents that Groves allegedly tried to take his phone to get him to “bring a book with cash app information to his cousin in the next pod over.”
Officials said if the inmates had removed the toilet without the water source being shut off, their escape wouldn’t have been successful, as the pod would have flooded and drawn attention.
Three other jail employees have been suspended for their parts during the investigation, NewsNation affiliate WGNO reported. Murrill said the investigation will also include the jail’s conditions that Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said needed fixing.
“We’re going to look at all the things to change those conditions, and at the same time hold everyone accountable that may have been involved before, during and after,” Murrill said.
Murrill also says anyone who is or has assisted the inmates with escaping and evading authorities should stop and will be prosecuted for doing so.
So far, four of the 10 inmates have been captured, and six remain at large.
This story is developing. Download our NewsNation app for 24/7 fact-based unbiased coverage.
