Shocking Jailbreak: How Louisiana Inmates Used Hair Trimmers to Escape
Louisiana Jailbreak: Inmates Used Hair Trimmers to Escape
In a stunning overnight escape last week, ten inmates from the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans made a daring break using electric hair trimmers to cut through cell walls. This revelation comes from a source with direct knowledge of the ongoing investigation.
Ingenious Escape and a Cover-Up
The inmates cleverly concealed their escape by placing the toilet back on the wall after squeezing through a hole they created behind it. They then used towels, likely provided by other inmates, to scale the barbed wire fence surrounding the jail. The jailbreak, which occurred on May 16, has sparked a massive manhunt.
Ongoing Investigation and Potential Charges
Authorities are still searching for five of the escapees, while five others have been recaptured and are now held at the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the jail, has yet to respond to questions about the security lapses that allowed the escape, including whether inmates are allowed access to electric hair trimmers and barber equipment.
Calls for Accountability
The district attorney, Jason Williams, and the state attorney general, Liz Murrill, visited the jail to oversee the investigation. Williams has requested a forensic analysis of the scene and urged the sheriff’s office to cooperate fully, including providing fingerprints and DNA records of staff. He has also demanded the preservation of all records related to the escape, including surveillance footage and staff communications.
Former Sheriff Highlights Security Gaps
Former Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman, who oversaw the jail from 2004 to 2022, expressed his astonishment, stating that if someone was properly monitoring the security system, they should have noticed a door opening during the escape. He emphasized the strength of the jail’s walls and the security measures in place within the pipe chase, where the inmates were believed to have initially gained access to the outside.
Suspects Arrested
Seven individuals have been charged in connection with the escape. Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the jail, faces malfeasance in office and 10 counts of being a principal to simple escape. Six others, including Casey Smith, Cortnie Harris, Trevon Williams, Emmitt Weber, Corvanntay Baptiste, and Connie Weeden, have also been arrested on charges ranging from accessory after the fact to aiding escapees and providing them with resources.
Thorough Audit Ordered
To ensure the safety and security of the Orleans Parish Jail, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has deployed a team of auditors to conduct a thorough investigation. This audit follows a decade-long gap since the last assessment of the facility in 2014. Over 200 local, state, and federal law enforcement officers are diligently working to recapture the remaining escapees.
