() Louisiana state Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman is calling for Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson to resign following a jailbreak that has left six dangerous inmates still at large, citing “lack of accountability” and a “grand failure of leadership.”
“It’s embarrassing to me that she has one job, which is to keep the inmates in the jail and keep the rest of us safe,” Freeman told ’s “Vargas Reports” on Tuesday. “I think she should resign.”
The criticism comes as authorities arrested a jail maintenance worker allegedly involved in Friday’s escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Sterling Williams, 33, faces 10 counts related to the incident after allegedly shutting off water to a cell where inmates removed a toilet and sink to escape through the wall.
According to an arrest affidavit, Williams told investigators that inmate Antoine Massey threatened to “shank him” if he didn’t turn off the water. Four jail employees have also been suspended following the escape.
Sheriff blamed funding issues; Freeman says $14M in reserves unused
Freeman, who sits on the state House Appropriations Committee, disputed Hutson’s claims that insufficient funding contributed to security failures. The sheriff had blamed “time and deferred investment” during a city council meeting where she took “full accountability” for the escape.
“No one ever mentioned to me that there were broken cameras or doors that didn’t function properly,” Freeman said. “She could use that money and leverage those funds and bond them out. I mean, there’s a lot of ways to run a budget.”
Freeman noted that Hutson has “$14 million in reserve” that could have been used for infrastructure repairs and criticized the sheriff for not implementing recommendations from federal monitors who twice inspected the jail last year.
“If you’ve already been given the instructions on how to fix the jail, you should fix it,” Freeman said. “The buck stops with her. She is the sheriff.”
The federal monitors had “strongly urged” the sheriff’s office to reestablish a high-security unit, yet the escaped inmates, many described as convicted killers, were housed on the first floor of the jail, making their escape easier.
Freeman said another Orleans Parish representative, Jason Hughes, has joined her call for Hutson’s resignation. Both lawmakers are Democrats representing New Orleans.
The situation has created significant safety concerns, with witnesses who testified against the escaped inmates and prosecutors who tried their cases reportedly leaving the state and going into hiding.
“I’m really worried about where these inmates might go,” Freeman said, noting that elderly residents are avoiding daily activities like church services out of fear. Authorities are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the capture of each inmate.
Four of the original 10 escapees have been captured, with authorities believing the remaining six are still within New Orleans city limits.
