Topline: The sheriff claimed an escape from the prison is “almost impossible” without help from inside.
Published: May 17, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Left: Mugshots of runaway inmates. Right: The suspected route the escapees took. (Screenshots courtesy WWL-TV)
NEW ORLEANS, LA — A manhunt is underway in Louisiana after ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail in what authorities now suspect was an inside job.
According to WWL-TV, two of the escapees have been captured, while eight remain at large as of Friday evening.
Investigators say the jailbreak was enabled by faulty cell locks, inoperable security cameras, and likely assistance from within the facility itself, WWL-TV reported.
Three Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) employees have already been suspended as part of the internal investigation.
“We have indication that these detainees received assistance in their escape from individuals inside of our department,” Sheriff Susan Hutson confirmed during a press briefing.
“It’s almost impossible for anybody to get out… without help,” she added.
The escape began just after midnight Friday when inmates tampered with a defective cell door and broke through a wall behind a toilet. They exited through a supply dock and scaled a perimeter wall before fleeing across the interstate. The breach went undetected until a headcount more than eight hours later, officials said.
A photo obtained from inside the jail shows a hole in the wall labeled with the mocking message: “To easy lol.”
OPSO is investigating whether this was the actual escape route.
A key control room technician had left the post for food during the incident, and three of the cameras in that unit weren’t working — part of a wider problem, as OPSO says about one-third of the jail’s security cameras are currently offline.
Kendall Myles, who was initially found hiding under a car in a downtown hotel parking garage, has been rebooked for simple escape. Moody was caught later Friday evening after a Crime Stoppers tip.
The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the remaining fugitives. Anyone with tips is urged to call 504-822-1111 or visit fbi.gov/neworleansfugitives.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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The sheriff claimed an escape from the prison is “almost impossible” without help from inside.
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Published: May 17, 2025 7:00 am ET
Left: Mugshots of runaway inmates. Right: The suspected route the escapees took. (Screenshots courtesy WWL-TV)
NEW ORLEANS, LA — A manhunt is underway in Louisiana after ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail in what authorities now suspect was an inside job.
According to WWL-TV, two of the escapees have been captured, while eight remain at large as of Friday evening.
Investigators say the jailbreak was enabled by faulty cell locks, inoperable security cameras, and likely assistance from within the facility itself, WWL-TV reported.
Three Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) employees have already been suspended as part of the internal investigation.
“We have indication that these detainees received assistance in their escape from individuals inside of our department,” Sheriff Susan Hutson confirmed during a press briefing.
“It’s almost impossible for anybody to get out… without help,” she added.
The escape began just after midnight Friday when inmates tampered with a defective cell door and broke through a wall behind a toilet. They exited through a supply dock and scaled a perimeter wall before fleeing across the interstate. The breach went undetected until a headcount more than eight hours later, officials said.
A photo obtained from inside the jail shows a hole in the wall labeled with the mocking message: “To easy lol.”
OPSO is investigating whether this was the actual escape route.
A key control room technician had left the post for food during the incident, and three of the cameras in that unit weren’t working — part of a wider problem, as OPSO says about one-third of the jail’s security cameras are currently offline.
Kendall Myles, who was initially found hiding under a car in a downtown hotel parking garage, has been rebooked for simple escape. Moody was caught later Friday evening after a Crime Stoppers tip.
The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the remaining fugitives. Anyone with tips is urged to call 504-822-1111 or visit fbi.gov/neworleansfugitives.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Latest Articles
Inside Help Likely in New Orleans Jailbreak, Says Sheriff
The sheriff claimed an escape from the prison is “almost impossible” without help from inside.
By Jacob Charles
Published: May 17, 2025 7:00 am ET
Left: Mugshots of runaway inmates. Right: The suspected route the escapees took. (Screenshots courtesy WWL-TV)
NEW ORLEANS, LA — A manhunt is underway in Louisiana after ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail in what authorities now suspect was an inside job.
According to WWL-TV, two of the escapees have been captured, while eight remain at large as of Friday evening.
Investigators say the jailbreak was enabled by faulty cell locks, inoperable security cameras, and likely assistance from within the facility itself, WWL-TV reported.
Three Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) employees have already been suspended as part of the internal investigation.
“We have indication that these detainees received assistance in their escape from individuals inside of our department,” Sheriff Susan Hutson confirmed during a press briefing.
“It’s almost impossible for anybody to get out… without help,” she added.
The escape began just after midnight Friday when inmates tampered with a defective cell door and broke through a wall behind a toilet. They exited through a supply dock and scaled a perimeter wall before fleeing across the interstate. The breach went undetected until a headcount more than eight hours later, officials said.
A photo obtained from inside the jail shows a hole in the wall labeled with the mocking message: “To easy lol.”
OPSO is investigating whether this was the actual escape route.
A key control room technician had left the post for food during the incident, and three of the cameras in that unit weren’t working — part of a wider problem, as OPSO says about one-third of the jail’s security cameras are currently offline.
Kendall Myles, who was initially found hiding under a car in a downtown hotel parking garage, has been rebooked for simple escape. Moody was caught later Friday evening after a Crime Stoppers tip.
The FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the remaining fugitives. Anyone with tips is urged to call 504-822-1111 or visit fbi.gov/neworleansfugitives.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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