As five dangerous criminals still remain at large, two women have been arrested for aiding violent fugitives from the New Orleans jailbreak.
The arrests highlight the ongoing failure of law enforcement to recapture all ten inmates who escaped after leaving behind a mocking message: “To Easy LoL.”
Local residents now fear for their safety as authorities scramble to locate the remaining fugitives.
Louisiana State Police arrested 32-year-old Courtnie Harris and 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste for providing critical assistance to the escaped inmates.
Harris maintained phone contact with fugitive Leo Tate and transported two escapees around New Orleans, directly undermining law enforcement efforts.
Baptiste reportedly used both phone and social media to assist escapee Corey Boyd, even bringing him food while he was hiding from authorities.
Both women now face serious consequences for their actions, having been booked into the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center. If convicted, they could spend up to five years in state prison.
The jailbreak has exposed glaring security weaknesses at the Orleans Justice Center.
Ten inmates managed to cut through steel bars before climbing out through the jail’s roof in the middle of the night.
While five have been recaptured, including Corey Boyd, the remaining five fugitives are considered armed and dangerous.
“Those who choose to assist or conceal these individuals are violating the law and will be held accountable. Harboring fugitives threatens the safety of our communities and will not be tolerated,” said the Louisiana State Police warned in a statement.
The scandal deepened when jail maintenance worker Sterling Williams was previously arrested for aiding the escape.
Williams claimed he was coerced under duress after being threatened by an inmate.
This apparent inside job demonstrates the catastrophic failures within the criminal justice system that are putting law-abiding citizens at risk.
The five dangerous criminals still evading capture are Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine T. Massey, Leo Tate, and Lenton Vanburen, all facing serious charges.
The jailbreak has created such fear that prosecutors involved in convicting one escapee have reportedly fled town due to concerns about retribution.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has visited the jail to address the obvious infrastructure issues that enabled this embarrassing security breach.
“It is perpetuating the threat to public safety. The more help they get, the more charges there are going to be,” she stated.
While officials have praised ongoing law enforcement efforts, the fact remains that half the escaped convicts are still free.
Until all fugitives are recaptured, New Orleans residents are left to wonder if their safety is truly a priority for those in charge.
