Fifth suspected New Orleans accomplice arrested for allegedly aiding inmates in jailbreak
Share this @internewscast.com

A fifth civilian was arrested on Thursday for allegedly helping two of the 10 inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16.

Casey Smith, 30, is accused of helping two fugitives immediately after the jailbreak by transporting them to multiple locations. 

The New Orleans Police Department issued a statement indicating that she confessed to assisting the escapees in conjunction with Cortnie Harris, 31, who was apprehended earlier this week.

Hole left behind by escaped New Orleans prisoners.

A photo of the hole left behind by violent inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Jail.  (Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office)

Authorities search for escaped fugitives in New Orleans

Law enforcement search for a fugitive that escaped a prison in New Orleans on May 21.  (Chris Granger/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP)

So far, five of the escapees have been found and arrested while five remain “unaccounted for,” police said.

Louisiana State Police on Thursday announced that 59-year-old Connie Weeden of Slidell, Louisiana, has been taken into custody on one felony count of being an accessory after the fact.

According to state police, Weeden was in contact with escapee Jermaine Donald by phone both before and after his jailbreak. She also allegedly provided him with cash via a cellphone app after his escape.

Two other women, Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste, were arrested and charged on Wednesday for allegedly being accessories after the fact in assisting the jailbreak.

A maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested and charged on Tuesday for allegedly cutting a prison cell’s water supply so the inmates could remove a toilet and escape through a hole behind it.

He was charged with 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office for allegedly turning off the water in the cell from which the escapees fled. He is being held on $1.1 million bond, $100,000 per count, in the Plaquemines Parish Jail. 

Orleans Parish Jail escapees.

This combo of photos provided by Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office shows, from top left: Dkenan Dennis, Gary C Price, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles and Corey E Boyd. Bottom from left: Lenton Vanburen Jr, Jermaine Donald,  Antonine T Massey, Derrick D. Groves, and Leo Tate Sr. (Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office via AP) (AP)

The following fugitives are still at large:

  • 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.

Authorities have reminded the public that these individuals are considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information relevant to this ongoing multi-agency investigation is encouraged to contact law enforcement. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Judge orders accused Jan 6 pipe bomber to remain in custody pending trial

Judge Rules: January 6 Pipe Bomber to Stay Behind Bars Until Trial

A federal judge has ruled that the individual accused of placing pipe…
Israeli Billionaire Calls to Limit the First Amendment

Israeli Billionaire Sparks Controversy with Call to Restrict First Amendment Rights

Foreign tech mogul Shlomo Kramer declared it’s ‘time to limit the First…
Runner fought off mountain lion with stick just weeks before fatal attack on same Colorado trail

Heroic Runner Defends Against Mountain Lion with Stick Weeks Before Tragic Fatal Attack on Colorado Trail

In a chilling precursor to a fatal incident, a man narrowly escaped…
What we know about the alleged ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve terror suspect

Unveiling the Chilling Details: Inside the Alleged ISIS-Inspired New Year’s Eve Terror Plot

The individual accused of planning a New Year’s Eve assault on a…
This week in Campus Radicals: Christian student flunked, Jewish students shaken, conservative groups blocked

University of Oklahoma Faces Controversy as Teaching Assistant Dismissed Over Alleged Bias Against Christian Student

A University of Oklahoma graduate teaching assistant, recently dismissed for failing a…
Maduro says Venezuela is 'ready' to make deal with US on drugs and oil after military strikes

Loud Explosions Rock Caracas: Latest Reports from Venezuelan Capital

In the early hours of Saturday morning, the tranquility of Venezuela’s capital,…
Morning Minute: Flashback Friday - What Were We Focused on This Time Last Year?

Morning Minute: Reflecting on Our Priorities from This Time Last Year

Friday, January 2, 2026 Good morning and welcome to RedState’s “Morning Minute”—your…
EXCLUSIVE: Mom speaks out after illegal alien DUI suspect allegedly kills 8-year-old, maims Marine dad

EXCLUSIVE: Mother Breaks Silence Following Tragic Incident Involving Illegal Immigrant DUI Suspect, Resulting in Death of 8-Year-Old and Injuries to Marine Father

EXCLUSIVE: A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded over the Thanksgiving weekend, leaving a mother…
As NYPD hunts suspect in Bronx Uber driver killing, cabbies’ eyewitness presser comes under fire

Bronx Uber Driver Murder Investigation: NYPD Pursues Suspect Amidst Controversy Over Cabbies’ Eyewitness Statements

In a startling development, NYPD detectives are closing in on the suspect…
Woman suspected to have been killed in Colorado's first fatal mountain lion attack in over two decades

Colorado Faces First Fatal Mountain Lion Attack in Over 20 Years: Woman Suspected Victim

In a rare and tragic incident, a woman in Colorado is believed…
Professor slams 'sneaky approach' to oppression-based teaching of American history: 'fantastically false'

Professor Criticizes Misleading Tactics in Teaching American History: Calls Them ‘Fantastically False

Wilfred Reilly, a professor and author, has raised concerns about how American…
Teens' viral prank targeting homeowners could have deadly consequences, police warn

Police Alert: Viral Teen Prank Poses Serious Risks for Homeowners

Kansas officials are raising alarms about a perilous TikTok trend that is…