Photo: Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office
A New Orleans jail maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, has been arrested for allegedly helping ten inmates escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. The escape occurred early Friday morning (May 15) when the inmates managed to break out by removing a toilet from the wall after Williams allegedly shut off the water supply to aid their escape.
Williams, 33, faces ten counts of principle to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has suspended three other jail employees as the investigation continues. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams described the breakout as "an inside job," stating, "Even Stevie Wonder can see that this was an inside job."
The escapees were discovered missing during a routine headcount at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time on Friday. The United States Marshals, Louisiana State Police, and other agencies were notified shortly after. As of Tuesday morning, four of the ten escapees have been recaptured, including one who was spotted in New Orleans' French Quarter. The search for the remaining fugitives continues.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson stated at a news conference that it is "almost impossible" for anyone to escape the facility without inside help. The investigation into how the breach occurred is ongoing, with authorities focusing on the possibility of additional assistance provided to the inmates.