A search is underway in Louisiana after 10 inmates allegedly escaped from a jail on Friday.
WWL reported that nine inmates from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans remain at large, as one inmate, Kendall Myles, 20, was discovered hiding under a car at a parking garage at Hotel Monteleone. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office said inmates tampered with a defective cell door, which broke open, before breaching a wall behind a toilet and fleeing via a supply dock door.
Troop NOLA Troopers located escapee Kendall Myles in the French Quarter this morning. After a brief foot pursuit, he was apprehended on Royal Street. Troopers continue working with partners to locate the remaining escapees and ensure public safety. #troopnola pic.twitter.com/ef5FM55YRS
— LA State Police (@LAStatePolice) May 16, 2025
The inmates are also believed to have scaled a wall before crossing the interstate. WWL reported that a lockdown was underway during the initial breach but defective locks and doors facilitated their escape.
The escaped inmates have been identified as Antoine Massey, Lenton Vanburen, Leo Tate, Kendell Myles, Derrick Groves, Jermain Donald, Corey Boyd, Gary Price, Robert Moody, and Decannon Dennis. NOLA.com reported that some of the escapees are accused of murder, rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.
Though preliminary reports stated that 11 inmates escaped from the New Orleans jail, officials clarified that an inmate was erroneously counted among the missing inmates before being located.
According to WDSU, Sheriff Susan Hutson said the inmates’ escape was “impossible without help” of people within the department. She said a tool — which inmates could not access on their own — was required to dig a hole in the wall of a cell.
A photo inside the cell at the center of the escape shows notes the escaped inmates apparently wrote on the wall. In addition for “f**k OSCO,” the inmates reportedly penned “we innocent” and “to [sic] easy LoL.”
The escaped inmates are considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111.
This story is developing…
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[Feature Photo: Orleans Parish Justice Center]
