New Orleans Jail escape chaos continues as five out of ten inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Prison on May 16, 2025, have been recaptured, officials confirmed. The escape plot, which involved dismantling a toilet and slipping through a wall hole, has since sparked an intense manhunt and led to multiple arrests—including two women accused of helping the fugitives.
The Great Escape
In the early hours of May 16, ten inmates at the Orleans Parish Prison exploited a security lapse by removing a sink-toilet unit inside their cell. Behind it, they discovered a weak spot in the wall and broke through it. After crawling through the opening, the group exited via a loading dock and scaled the perimeter wall using blankets to bypass barbed wire.
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A routine 8:30 a.m. headcount finally exposed the jailbreak—hours after the men had fled—giving them a considerable lead over law enforcement.
Women Caught Assisting Fugitives
In connection with the New Orleans jail escape, Louisiana State Police arrested Cortnie Harris, 32, of New Orleans, and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, of Slidell. Investigators say Harris helped transport two escapees and was in contact with one before the escape. Baptiste allegedly used social media to coordinate with fugitive Corey Boyd, supplying him with food while he was in hiding.
Both women face felony charges of accessory after the fact and are currently held at the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center.
Five Caught, Five Still on the Run
The five New Orleans escapees who have been recaptured are:
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Corey Boyd (age 20) – Charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and threatening a public official. He was apprehended on May 20 in New Orleans and has since been transferred to a secure state facility.
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Gary Price (age 21) – Wanted in connection with an attempted first-degree murder case. He was captured on May 19 in an abandoned house in New Orleans East.
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Kendell Myles (age 20) – Found hiding under a car in a French Quarter hotel garage on May 16.
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Robert Moody (age 21) – Apprehended on May 16 in the 3500 block of Second Street in the Hoffman Triangle neighborhood.
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Dkenan Dennis (age 24) – Captured on May 16 after police converged on Dale Street.
As of May 22, the manhunt continues for five escapees: Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Leo Tate, and Lenton Vanburen. These men face serious charges ranging from second-degree murder to armed robbery, and authorities have labeled them armed and dangerous.
Inside Help and Jailhouse Scrutiny
The daring escape has raised serious concerns about internal operations at the facility. Maintenance worker Sterling Williams was arrested for allegedly cutting the water supply to the inmates’ cell, allowing them to dismantle the toilet. Williams claimed he was acting under duress due to threats from an inmate.
New Orleans Jail Maintenance Worker Sterling Williams Arrested
Additionally, three Orleans Parish Prison employees have been suspended without pay pending an internal investigation into potential staff negligence or misconduct.
