A Louisiana sheriff finds herself entangled in a web of charges related to the notorious New Orleans jailbreak, marking one of the largest inmate escapes in American history.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, aged 59, faces a comprehensive 30-count indictment accusing her of obstruction of justice, malfeasance, and falsifying public records. This was announced in a press release from Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office on Wednesday.
Additionally, Chief Financial Officer Bianka Brown has been charged with 20 felony counts, as noted by officials.
The charges are linked to an incident in May 2025 when 10 inmates managed to escape from the Orleans Justice Center, according to Murrill’s office.
Sheriff Susan Hutson was seen arriving at the Council Chambers for a City Council meeting following the escape at the Orleans Parish Justice Center on May 20, 2025, in New Orleans. (Sophia Germer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate/AP)
“Nearly a year ago, I pledged to the people of New Orleans and our state that those accountable for the Orleans Parish Prison escape would face justice,” Murrill stated.
“Since that day, through the hard work of my office, along with the Louisiana State Police and our many federal, state and local law enforcement partners, every escapee is behind bars, and others who facilitated and enabled the escape are currently being prosecuted.”
Murrill also alleges Hutson’s poor leadership played a key role in the escape of nearly a dozen dangerous inmates, including some facing murder charges, after they broke out of jail from behind a toilet.
All 10 inmates were subsequently captured after a nationwide manhunt.
Surveillance footage shows inmates escaping the Orleans Justice Center during a security breach in New Orleans. (Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office)
“While Sheriff Hutson did not personally open the doors of the jail for the escapees, her refusal to comply with basic legal requirements and to take even minimal precautions in the discharge of her duties directly contributed to and enabled the escape,” Murrill said.
The charges come just days before Hutson was set to leave office after only receiving 17% of the vote in her re-election bid in October, FOX 8 reported.
Mugshots show 10 inmates who escaped from Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans. The escapees are Dkenan Dennis, Gary C. Price, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Corey E. Boyd, Lenton Vanburen Jr., Jermaine Donald, Antonine T. Massey, Derrick D. Groves and Leo Tate Sr. (Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office/AP)
Hutson’s term was reportedly plagued by the infamous jailbreak, several other controversies and calls for her to resign as sheriff.
She had never worked in a jail when she unseated four-term former Sheriff Marlin Gusman in 2021 and had minimal law enforcement experience after working as the city’s independent police monitor and an attorney specializing in police oversight, according to FOX 8.
Sheriff Susan Hutson speaks during a City Council meeting at City Hall in New Orleans May 20, 2025, after the escape of 10 inmates from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. (Sophia Germer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate/Associated Press)
Additionally, state auditors recently reported nearly $260,000 in suspicious overpayments for security details, with previous scandals involving allegations that Hutson dropped large sums of cash on hotel rooms for her top officials during Mardi Gras, according to FOX 8.
New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Michelle Woodfork was elected by voters to succeed Hutson and is expected to be sworn in on Monday, the outlet reported.
A photo of the hole left behind by violent inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Jail. (Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office)
“As my prosecutors move forward with this case, I continue to have productive conversations with Sheriff-elect Michelle Woodfork on how to improve operations, secure the facility and build in basic financial oversight that complies with state law,” Murrill added. “I am confident in her commitment to implement the difficult changes needed to reform the jail.”
A judge has set Hutson’s bond at $300,000 and Brown’s bond at $200,000, while also ordering both women to hand over their passports and remain in the state of Louisiana.
Hutson and Brown are scheduled to appear in court for a status hearing Thursday.
Fox News Digital reached out to Hutson, Brown and the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General for comment.
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