Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill suspects that a probe into the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans jail will result in more arrests of insiders, as she shared on “Fox & Friends” Wednesday morning.
Murrill stated that the investigation into how these 10 inmates successfully escaped is ongoing, and she anticipates further arrests among those inside who may have helped facilitate the escape.
“There certainly will be more consequences from this event. We just have to be methodical in the investigation,” she said.
Authorities said Tuesday that one jail employee, Sterling Williams, was arrested and accused of helping the inmates escape.
Five of 10 remaining escapees from a New Orleans jail.
Earlier that day, police apprehended 33-year-old Williams, an employee at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, charging him with 10 counts of principal to simple escape along with one count of malfeasance in office.
He was assessed a $1.1 million bond, $100,000 for each charge, according to Murrill’s office.
According to an arrest affidavit, Williams claims he was coerced into participating via violent threats.
Photo of Sterling Williams, who is accused of helping 10 inmates escape from the Orleans Parish Jail. (Louisiana Department of Justice)
“LBI Agents were assigned to review information in attempt to determine if anyone, from the OPSO staff or outside personnel, assisted in the escape. During a mirandized interview with Williams, he explained to Agents that he turned the water off from the outside pipe walk area on the exterior of cell 6 under direction of a light skinned black male with tattoos on his face, whom he named as ‘Massey,’ formally known as Antoine Massey, who threatened to shank him if he did not turn the water off,” the affidavit said.
According to Fox 8, Massey has a history of escaping from custody.
“There isn’t an ounce of this man’s history that doesn’t say ‘escape,’” Matt Dennis of ASAP Electronic Monitors, which provides ankle monitoring services, told the outlet. “He had no intention of wearing an ankle monitor.”
The five men who remain on the run are:
- Lenton J. Vanburen Jr., 26, faces charges of illegal carrying of weapons, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon, obstruction of justice and introducing contraband in prison.
- Jermaine Donald, 42, faces charges of second-degree murder, aggravated battery, possession of a firearm or weapon by a felon and obstruction of justice.
- Antoine Massey, 32, faces charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation, theft of a motor vehicle and a parole violation.
- Derrick Groves, 27, faces 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, faces charges of 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 counts.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Louisiana State Police, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and FBI New Orleans for comment.
Fox News’ Adam Sabes and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
