Maintenance Worker Arrested
A maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish Justice Center has been arrested in connection with a jailbreak that saw ten inmates escape from the New Orleans jail facility last week. According to investigators, the worker intentionally shut off a water line to disable critical plumbing infrastructure, allowing the inmates to breach a cell wall and flee undetected. Six of the escapees remain on the run.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through city leadership and the broader community, took place in the early hours of May 15. Jail officials initially became aware of the escape after a routine headcount revealed multiple inmates missing. Surveillance footage and internal logs quickly led authorities to suspect that the escape had been facilitated from within the facility.
“This was not a random or impulsive act. It was planned, coordinated, and supported by someone who had access and knowledge of the facility’s internal systems,” said Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson during a press conference Monday. “This individual betrayed the trust placed in them by this department and the public.”
Investigators allege the maintenance worker used their credentials to access utility controls and shut off a water line running adjacent to the inmates’ housing unit. The disruption to water pressure and flow is believed to have disabled sensors or weakened wall infrastructure, making it easier for inmates to remove part of the cell wall without triggering alarms or drawing immediate attention.
The breach led to a narrow service corridor within the jail, which the inmates used to navigate toward a poorly monitored exit point. From there, they are believed to have split up and fled the area on foot and by vehicle.
Four of the escapees have since been apprehended in nearby parishes and returned to custody, but a massive manhunt is now underway for the remaining six. U.S. Marshals, Louisiana State Police, and local law enforcement agencies have been enlisted to assist in the ongoing search. Officials have warned the public to remain vigilant, noting that several of the escapees were being held on charges related to violent crimes, including armed robbery and assault.
“This is a matter of public safety,” said Louisiana State Police Captain Raynell McGee. “We are asking anyone who sees something suspicious or believes they have seen one of these individuals to call law enforcement immediately. Do not attempt to approach or confront them.”
City officials have expressed outrage over the breach and are calling for an immediate review of the jail’s operations and oversight. “We are dealing with a systemic failure that requires immediate and decisive action,” said New Orleans City Councilmember Helena Moreno. “There are serious questions about staffing, infrastructure, and chain-of-command protocols that must be answered.”
An internal review of jail operations is already underway, with particular focus on staffing procedures, internal communication systems, and physical vulnerabilities within the facility. The sheriff’s office has also requested an independent audit by a third-party corrections expert to identify additional risks.
Meanwhile, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office confirmed it is working closely with investigators to determine whether more individuals—either inside or outside the jail—were involved in orchestrating or facilitating the escape. Additional arrests have not been ruled out.
The maintenance worker is currently being held at a separate facility and is expected to be formally charged later this week. Prosecutors are considering multiple felony counts, including aiding and abetting an escape, criminal conspiracy, tampering with public property, and official misconduct.
The incident marks one of the most serious security breaches at the Orleans Parish Justice Center in recent memory. The facility, which has long faced criticism for understaffing and poor conditions, is now under heightened scrutiny from both local leaders and federal oversight bodies.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the six remaining fugitives is urged to contact the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111. A reward is being offered for information leading to their capture.
