10
Loading video...
By Dan Gooding and Gabe Whisnant
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
An employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office has been arrested in Friday's dramatic escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Justice Center, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office confirmed Tuesday.
State Attorney General Liz Murrill said Sterling Williams, 33, was detained, accused of helping the inmates 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," Murrill said in a press release.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office declined to comment when approached by Newsweek, deferring to Murrill's office.
Read More on News
Why It Matters
The inmates fled through a hole in a wall behind a toilet during the early hours of Friday. At the time, the sole guard monitoring them had left the area to get food.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has publicly said that she believes the escape was an inside job. Last week, she announced the suspension of three employees as part of the ongoing investigation.
"It's almost impossible, not completely, but almost impossible for anybody to get out of this facility without help," Hutson said of the jail, which houses roughly 1,400 inmates.
...
What To Know
Williams is charged with 10 counts of principle to simply escape and one count of malfeasance in office, Murrill's office said.
Investigators had spoken with the maintenance worker, who said that one escapee told him to turn off the water supply in the cell from which the inmates escaped. Rather than reporting the demand, Williams shut it off, according to authorities.
According to an arrest affidavit, Williams reported that one of the escapees threatened to "shank" him unless he turned off the water. Another inmate allegedly tried to seize Williams' phone and pressured him to bring a book containing Cash App details.
...
According to the sheriff's office, at least one of the metal bars shielding the plumbing appeared to have been deliberately cut with a tool. After escaping, the inmates changed out of their uniforms and into civilian clothes, the sheriff's office added.
Authorities did not realize they were missing for several hours. Of the 10 escapees—many charged with or convicted of violent crimes, including murder—four have been recaptured, while six remain at large.
Multiple agencies have been involved in the search for those still on the run. The FBI doubled the reward for information leading to the capture of the remaining escapees over the weekend to $10,000 per inmate.
Hutson has highlighted systemic issues like broken locks and staffing shortages. But criticism from state and local officials is mounting, with many arguing that ultimate responsibility lies with her office for failing to maintain adequate security.
The sheriff told a New Orleans City Council meeting Tuesday that she took full responsibility for the escape. Speaking to reporters later Tuesday, the district attorney said if she had known more about the conditions at the jail, she would have been able to help. Murrill also announced that Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry would be opening another investigation into the jailbreak, and lamented the issue of low staffing numbers across the U.S. prison system.
What People Are Saying
Louisiana State Police spokesperson Katharine Stegall told Newsweek on Monday: "Troopers are providing personnel, logistical support, intelligence-led policing and coordination through the LSP Fusion Center. We have worked steadily through the weekend and will continue for the foreseeable future. We have every intention to continue pushing forward with our law enforcement partners until each of the fugitives is back in custody."
Landry, during a news conference on Sunday: "This massive jailbreak could be the largest jailbreak in the history of the state, and it never should have happened. The public deserves to know who, what and how this happened."
Hutson, speaking to New Orleans City Council on Tuesday: "There were procedural failures and missed notifications, but there were also intentional wrongdoings—this was a coordinated effort aided by individuals inside our own agency who made the choice to break the law. We are continuing to pursue everyone involved."
What Happens Next
Williams was arrested and booked into Orleans Parish Jail before being transferred to another facility. Murrill's office said its investigation is ongoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 05/20/25, 3:21 p.m.: This article was updated with further information and context.
Update 05/20/25, 6:48 p.m.: This article was updated with further information, context and remarks.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines