A now former Orleans Parish Jail maintenance worker has been arrested in connection with the escape of 10 inmates from that jail on Friday.
Sterling Williams, 33, has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of principle to simple escape and malfeasance in office, according to a Tuesday morning statement from Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office.
“Williams admitted to agents that one of the escapees advised him to turn the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped from,” Murrill said in the statement. “Instead of reporting the inmate, Williams turned the water off as directed allowing the inmates to carry out their scheme to successfully escape.”
“This is a continuing investigation, and we will provide updates as often as possible. We will uncover all the facts eventually and anyone who aided and abetted will be prosecuted to the full extent the law allows. I encourage anyone who knows anything and even those who may have provided assistance to come forward now to obtain the best possible outcome in their particular case,” said Murrill.
The release said that he was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail, the same one from which he allegedly helped the inmates escape, but that he will be transferred to a different facility.
On Monday, a fourth inmate was captured by authorities after escaping from the New Orleans jail on Friday with six other convicts.
“Louisiana State Police just captured inmate Gary C. Price,” FBI New Orleans confirmed in a post on X.
Price, 21, was charged with seven counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with a weapon, domestic abuse, simple assault, aggravated criminal damage to property and resisting an officer, according to officials.
Officials said Price will ultimately be transported to a secure state facility outside the area and booked.
Authorities said that some fugitives may have left the city or the state of Louisiana, and the public has been urged to stay alert, not be alarmed and report any tips. The FBI confirmed in a statement it has “surged resources” and is offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest of the inmates.
A source confirmed to Fox News that authorities have come close to detaining others, but the “timing has been off.”
The source added the remaining fugitives may have left New Orleans, but it’s believed most, if not all of them, are still here.
The six fugitives still on the run are Jermaine Donald, 42; Antoine Massey, 33; Leo Tate, 31; Lenton Vanburen, 27; Derrick Groves, 27; and Corey Boyd, 19.
The fugitives on the run are:
- Corey E. Boyd, 19, charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, illegal carrying of weapons involving a crime, and obstruction of justice.
- Lenton J. Vanburen Jr., 26, charged with illegal carrying of weapons, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon, obstruction of justice and introducing contraband in prison.
- Jermaine Donald, 42, charged with second-degree murder, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon and obstruction of justice.
- Antoine Massey, 32, charged with domestic abuse involving strangulation, theft of a motor vehicle and a parole violation.
- Derrick Groves, 27, charged with three counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder and battery of a correctional facility employee.
- Leo O. Tate Sr., 31, charged with simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon, illegal carrying of a weapon, motor vehicle theft and multiple drug charges.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Prison Security ideas
Minefield outside fence
Roving guards
Drone gun towers
One way Exit entry
Sensors in fence
Revamp cellblocks
CCTV array
Seal up exits, entrys
Screen vendors
Vet employees