Ten Inmates Escape from New Orleans Jail During Guard's Absence

NEW ORLEANS -- In a daring escape, ten inmates fled from a New Orleans jail through a hole in their cell wall late Friday night while the only guard on duty took a break to get food. The escape occurred at the Orleans Justice Center, where officials reported that seven of the fugitives, including individuals charged with serious offenses like murder, remain at large.

Surveillance footage released by authorities showed the escapees dashing out of the facility, some dressed in orange jumpsuits while others wore white attire. The footage captured them scaling a fence, utilizing blankets to shield themselves from barbed wire, before running across a nearby interstate and into a residential area.

A photograph from law enforcement depicted the hole behind a toilet that the escapees used to exit their cell. Above the opening, messages were scrawled, indicating a premeditated plan.

The absence of the inmates went unnoticed for several hours, with officials only discovering the escape during a routine morning headcount, more than seven hours after the breakout. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office stated that while a technician was present, the absence of a deputy in the pod allowed the escape to unfold.

Following the incident, authorities quickly apprehended one of the escapees, Kendall Myles, who was captured after a brief chase in the French Quarter. Myles has a history of prior escapes from juvenile detention facilities. By Friday evening, two more inmates were caught: Robert Moody, found in New Orleans due to a Crimestoppers tip, and Dkenan Dennis, located near Chef Menteur Highway.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson attributed the escape to "defective locks" and suggested potential inside assistance. She noted that she had raised concerns about the facility's infrastructure with officials and had recently advocated for funding to address ongoing issues.

Hutson indicated that it is nearly impossible for inmates to escape without some form of internal support. The escapees managed to force open a door leading to the cell with the hole around 1 a.m., and at least one of the steel bars meant to protect plumbing fixtures appeared to have been deliberately cut.

Once outside the facility, the escapees quickly changed out of their jail uniforms, leaving authorities puzzled as to how they acquired civilian clothing so swiftly. Officials initially reported that eleven inmates had escaped, but later clarified that one individual believed to be missing was actually in a different cell.

Three employees of the jail have been placed on suspension while an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape is conducted. It remains uncertain if the guard who left for food is among those suspended.

The escapees range in age from 19 to 42, with the majority in their twenties. Notably, one of the fugitives, Derrick Groves, has a conviction for two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder related to a violent incident during Mardi Gras in 2018.

Local law enforcement agencies are actively collaborating with state and federal authorities to track down the fugitives. The New Orleans Police Department has implemented facial recognition technology to assist in identifying and capturing escapees, leading to the swift capture of some.

Criticism of jail management has intensified, with the Orleans Parish District Attorney describing the incident as a significant failure of responsibility and expressing concern about the prolonged delay in notifying the public. The state Attorney General labeled the escape as "beyond unacceptable" and emphasized the need for immediate communication with surrounding states regarding the fugitives.

For years, New Orleans' jail has been subject to federal oversight due to ongoing security issues. Sheriff Hutson mentioned that the facility is currently operating at approximately 60% staffing levels, which has further complicated the ability to maintain secure conditions. Following this incident, there are plans to transfer numerous high-security inmates to more secure facilities.