Latest news with #SheriffHutson
CBS News
27-06-2025
- CBS News
Ninth escaped New Orleans inmate has been arrested, officials say
Police on Friday captured one of the New Orleans parish inmates who escaped six weeks ago in a jailbreak Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry called the worst in recent state history. Law enforcement agencies located and arrested 33-year-old Antoine Massey at a residence in New Orleans on Friday, authorities announced in a press release. The New Orleans Police Department was expected to give a press conference later Friday night. Massey will be taken to a secure state correctional facility, Louisiana State Police said. At the time of his escape, Massey had been facing charges of domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, motor vehicle theft and a parole violation, authorities said, adding that additional charges may follow. The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and the New Orleans Police Department located and arrested Massey on Friday, state police said. Nine of the 10 Orleans Parish Prison inmates have now been recaptured following their May 16 jailbreak from the Orleans Justice Center, which went unnoticed for hours. Only one, Derrick Groves, remains on the lam. The group of inmates escaped by yanking open a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole in the wall behind it and scaling a barbed wire fence in the early morning hours. State and local officials have criticized the management of Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who has largely blamed the jailbreak on poor infrastructure and the inability to make needed improvements at the 10-year-old, $150 million facility. Authorities have arrested at least 16 people who are accused of aiding the escape of the inmates. Some of the inmates were found within the city's famous French Quarter and others elsewhere within the state of Louisiana, while two of them were found in Texas following extensive surveillance efforts by the U.S. Marshals, authorities have said. "They can keep running, but they can't hide forever," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill previously told CBS News. This is a developing story and will be updated. contributed to this report.
Fox News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Former New Orleans police chief criticizes sheriff's 'checkered past' after jailbreak
Former New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Ronal Serpas is criticizing what he described as New Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson's "checkered past" after 10 inmates escaped a parish jail last week. Since the inmates escaped from a hole behind a toilet in a jail cell the morning of May 16, authorities have recaptured five and arrested one correctional officer in the jailbreak. "Sheriff Hutson has had a very checkered past in the last 15 years in the city of New Orleans, with multiple complaints of administrative failures as the [former] independent police monitor, multiple complaints as the sheriff and the consent decree management and multiple complaints of ethical violations that have resulted in findings by the Louisiana Ethics Board," Serpas told Fox News Digital. "It's no surprise to the people of New Orleans that incompetence[e] is key to her leadership style, and the people deserve so much better." The escaped inmates, some of whom are charged with violent offenses, including murder, were being held in a minimum-custody site at the Orleans Parish prison. The jail is only at 60% staffing, and at the time of the escape, four supervisors and 36 staff members were monitoring 1,400 inmates, authorities said. Hutson did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital, but she did announce a temporary suspension of her re-election campaign in a statement Wednesday morning. "As I said today, I take full accountability for the breach that occurred under my leadership," Hutson said. "I am grateful to the community, our law enforcement partners and city and state leaders for helping us to secure the Orleans Justice Center and capture the remaining escapees," Hutson said in a statement. "We've taken immediate action, including suspensions, an arrest and full cooperation with the attorney general's investigation." She added there is "a long road ahead" of her "to be fully satisfied that the [Orleans Justice Center] and my deputies have the proper resources to perform their duties to the fullest extent the people of New Orleans deserve." "I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs." "As such, I am temporarily suspending my re-election campaign. I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs," she said. "Now is the time to focus on security, accountability, and public safety. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with other agencies and community organizations to hear your valuable input and make necessary changes." Serpas noted there was historically low voter turnout for the sheriff election in December 2021, when less than 60,000 votes were cast, representing just 27% of New Orleans Parish registered voters. It was similar to that year's mayoral race, at 28% turnout. Hutson faced ethics charges over nepotism and other complaints in September 2024 and whistleblower lawsuits from former administrators between 2023 and 2024, FOX 8 New Orleans reported. When asked his thoughts on the arrest of a jail employee, 33-year-old Sterling Williams, who is accused of helping the inmates escape, Serpas, now a criminology and justice professor at Loyola University in New Orleans, said "the question" for him is how Hutson did not see "red flags on an appointment." Two others, Cortnie Harris, 32, and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, have also been accused of aiding the escape. "There is no question that it's difficult to hire people to work in the jail environment," Serpas said. "There is no question that there are many examples across the country of jail employees violating their oath and office. It's a thing that sheriffs just know what to look out for. And here we have another example of this particular sheriff … not knowing how to actually lead or be ethical in that leadership." Hutson has also received criticism for declining jail conditions at the Orleans Justice Center, including drug smuggling, inmate violence and inadequate mental health care. Federal monitors have noted major gaps in safety and supervision in biannual reports on the Orleans Parish jail. FOX 8 found that Hutson's office has regressed in four jail safety and supervision categories since the last sheriff's administration, while the remainder are the same as the previous administration. Monitors "witnessed the most unsupervised jail units in recent memory once Sheriff Susan Hutson took over," the report states, according to FOX 8. Hutson proposed a tax increase to generate $11.7 million annually for the sheriff's office, but 91% of voters rejected the measure. Between 2022 and 2024, the sheriff's office lost 17 employees, and Hutson expressed a need for 150 additional deputies to manage a 500-person increase in inmates since she took office. To reestablish trust with the public after the jailbreak, the sheriff's office must first apprehend all 10 escapees, Serpas said. "The public expects the local, state and federal agencies will work together, which we have clear evidence of," the former superintendent said. "I think the next jury that is out, if you will, is there is an upcoming sheriff's election. And in New Orleans, my hometown … in Sheriff Hutson's race, when she won, 25% of voters went to the poll. We need people to go to the poll and challenge the candidates." Anyone found aiding an escapee will be charged as an accomplice, according to New Orleans authorities. The FBI is offering rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the escaped inmates. Crime Stoppers is also offering a $2,000 reward per inmate. The five men who remain on the run are: A violent offender warrant squad is searching for the escapees along with the FBI and U.S. Marshals. More than 200 law enforcement officers are assisting with the search.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- The Independent
Men who escaped New Orleans jail had hourslong head start before staff knew they were gone
Nearly a week after 10 men escaped from a New Orleans jail by crawling through a hole behind a toilet and scaling a fence, five have been apprehended and five remain at large. Authorities believe sheriff's employees must have aided the escape, and three have been suspended. A jail maintenance man is the only person arrested so far and is accused of helping the prisoners. Here is a look at the timeline of events surrounding one of the largest jailbreaks in recent U.S. history: May 15 At 10:30 p.m., the jail is locked down per standard nighttime rules. May 16 About 12:20 a.m., prisoners yank open a cell door when the jail's lone guard is away getting food. The men escape through a hole cut behind a sink-toilet unit that they removed. Authorities haven't specified what tools were used to cut through steel bars or how the prisoners got them. At 1:01 a.m., surveillance video captures the 10 men sprinting out of the jail, throwing blankets over a barbed wire fence and scaling it. Some of the men are then seen running across an interstate. A head count at the jail generally starts around 6:30 a.m. and takes less than an hour. However, on this morning sheriff's officials are still verifying whether anyone had escaped more than two hours later, according to Jeworski 'Jay' Mallett, the jail's chief of corrections. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the jail, and Mallett say they are investigating why it took so long for staffers to identify and report that the men were missing. It's not clear exactly what time jail staff noticed the men were gone. Around 8:45 a.m., the jail goes on lockdown. About 45 minutes later the escape is 'officially reported' by Hutson to a law enforcement task force. Around 10:30 a.m., city and state police learn of the escape. New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says she learned of the jailbreak indirectly and not from the sheriff. At approximately 11:30 a.m., law enforcement officials hold a news conference about the escape. Around noon, Louisiana state police say they have apprehended escapee Kendall Myles, 20, in the city's French Quarter after a brief foot chase. He was identified by the city's network of facial recognition security cameras. Myles was in jail facing charges of attempted second-degree murder and armed robbery. Officials say he had twice escaped from juvenile custody. The sheriff says three jail employees have been suspended pending an investigation. It is not immediately clear whether any of the employees are suspected of helping with the escape. Officials also don't say if the employee who left to get food is among the three suspended. In the evening, escapees Robert Moody and Dkenan Dennis are apprehended separately in the city. Moody, 21, was being held on charges of illegal carrying of a weapon with narcotics, attempted second- degree battery and obstruction. Dennis, 24, was being held on charges including armed robbery with firearm and illegal carrying of a weapon during a crime of violence. May 19 A fourth escapee, Gary C. Price, 21, is taken into custody in New Orleans. He was originally held at the New Orleans jail on charges of first-degree murder, domestic abuse and aggravated assault. May 20 Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the jail, is arrested and held on $1.1 million bond. Williams is charged with 10 counts of principle to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office. Authorities say he has admitted he turned the water off in a cell before the men slipped away through the hole behind the toilet. They say he told investigators an inmate threatened to stab him if he didn't help. Michael Kennedy, Williams' appointed attorney, says 'we have every intention of entering a plea of not guilty.' State police confirm that Corey Boyd, 19, has been apprehended. Boyd was being held on second-degree murder charges. Hutson, the sheriff, temporarily suspends her reelection campaign, saying, 'Now is the time to focus on security, accountability and public safety.'
Sky News
17-05-2025
- Sky News
Seven men on the run after audacious 'Shawshank' escape from New Orleans jail
Seven prisoners could be "frankly anywhere" in the US after breaking out of a New Orleans jail. Authorities have been left wondering - how did they do it? The audacious escape saw 10 men flee the jail on Friday through a hole behind a toilet and scale a wall, in scenes reminiscent of The Shawshank Redemption movie. The men are believed to have made their jailbreak while the lone guard assigned to their cell pod was away getting food. While three have been recaptured, seven of the men - among them accused murderers - remain at large. Prison officials believe they may have had inside help. Surveillance footage showed the escapees sprinting out of the Orleans Justice Centre, using blankets to scale a barbed wire fence and then sprinting across a nearby highway. The absence of the men went unnoticed for more than seven hours - officers only learned of their escape the next morning during a routine headcount. A photograph showing the hole the prisoners escaped through also revealed scrawled messages - including one saying "To Easy LoL" with an arrow pointing at the gap. They ditched their jail uniforms after leaving the facility - and it is still unclear how some of them obtained regular clothes so quickly, officials said. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said the men were able to get out because of "defective locks". Sheriff Hutson said there are indications that people inside her department helped the fugitives escape. "It's almost impossible, not completely, but almost impossible for anybody to get out of this facility without help." Who are the escaped men? The men range from 19 years old to 42, with most being in their 20s. One of the fugitives, Derrick Groves, was convicted on two charges of murder and two charges of attempted murder for his role in the 2018 Mardi Gras Day shootings of two men. Another escapee, Corey Boyd, had pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said some of the men "have a history of witness intimidation of citizens who were brave enough to speak up". Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill called the escape "beyond unacceptable" and said local authorities waited too long to inform the public. She said she reached out to neighbouring states to alert them about the escape, saying they have had plenty of time to get to "frankly anywhere across the country".
Sky News
17-05-2025
- Sky News
Eight men on the run after audacious 'Shawshank' escape from US jail
Eight prisoners could be "frankly anywhere" in the US after breaking out of a New Orleans jail. Authorities have been left wondering - how did they do it? The audacious escape saw 10 men flee the jail on Friday through a hole behind a toilet and scale a wall, in scenes reminiscent of The Shawshank Redemption movie. The men are believed to have made their jailbreak while the lone guard assigned to their cell pod was away getting food. While two have been recaptured, eight of the men - among them accused murderers - remain at large. Prison officials believe they may have had inside help. Surveillance footage showed the escapees sprinting out of the Orleans Justice Centre, using blankets to scale a barbed wire fence and then sprinting across a nearby highway. The absence of the men went unnoticed for more than seven hours - officers only learned of their escape the next morning during a routine headcount. A photograph showing the hole the prisoners escaped through also revealed scrawled messages - including one saying "To Easy LoL" with an arrow pointing at the gap. They ditched their jail uniforms after leaving the facility - and it is still unclear how some of them obtained regular clothes so quickly, officials said. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said the men were able to get out because of "defective locks". Sheriff Hutson said there are indications that people inside her department helped the fugitives escape. "It's almost impossible, not completely, but almost impossible for anybody to get out of this facility without help." Who are the escaped men? The men range from 19 years old to 42, with most being in their 20s. One of the fugitives, Derrick Groves, was convicted on two charges of murder and two charges of attempted murder for his role in the 2018 Mardi Gras Day shootings of two men. Another escapee, Corey Boyd, had pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams said some of the men "have a history of witness intimidation of citizens who were brave enough to speak up". Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill called the escape "beyond unacceptable" and said local authorities waited too long to inform the public. She said she reached out to neighbouring states to alert them about the escape, saying they have had plenty of time to get to "frankly anywhere across the country".
