Fifth suspect arrested for allegedly helping inmates in New Orleans jail escape
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.
According to a release from the New Orleans Police Department, she admitted to moving the escapees alongside Cortnie Harris, 31, who was arrested earlier this week.
ORLEANS PARISH SHERIFF BOASTED ABOUT JAIL SECURITY DAYS BEFORE 10 INMATES ESCAPED
Casey Smith, 30, was booked with accessory after the fact to simple escape after investigators linked her to the transportation of two escapees in the hours following the jailbreak, according to a statement from the New Orleans Police Department. (Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office)
Smith’s alleged involvement with the escapees was revealed amid an investigation conducted by the NOPD’s Special Operations Division Tactical II team, which uncovered evidence that linked Smith to the fugitives.
Authorities say she helped transport at least two of the escapees to multiple locations in the hours following their breakout.
Officers located Smith at a residence in the city’s Third District, where she was taken in for questioning. During the interview, Smith admitted to aiding in the transport of the escapees alongside Harris, police said.
Smith was arrested and booked for accessory after the fact to simple escape.
LOUISIANA POLICE ARREST THIRD ACCOMPLICE IN ORLEANS PARISH JAILBREAK
A photo of the hole left behind by violent inmates who escaped the Orleans Parish Jail. (Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office)
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.
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.
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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.