Anticipated arrests likely in New Orleans jail escape investigation, says Louisiana attorney general

Liz Murrill, the Louisiana Attorney General, stated that the ongoing investigation into the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans jail is likely to uncover involvement of more individuals within the facility, as she shared on “Fox & Friends.”

Murrill emphasized that the authorities are diligently working to determine how the 10 inmates managed to flee and she anticipates further arrests of individuals inside the jail who may have played a role in the escape.

“There certainly will be more consequences from this event. We just have to be methodical in the investigation,” she said. 

Authorities said Tuesday that one jail employee, Sterling Williams, was arrested and accused of helping the inmates escape.

Five of 10 remaining escapees from a New Orleans jail.

On the same day, police apprehended a 33-year-old named Williams, who is an employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Williams has been charged with 10 counts of aiding in the inmates’ escape and one count of misconduct while in office.

He was assessed a $1.1 million bond, $100,000 for each charge, according to Murrill’s office. 

According to an arrest affidavit, Williams claims he was coerced into participating via violent threats. 

Photo of Sterling Williams, who is accused of helping 10 inmates escape from the Orleans Parish Jail. (Louisiana Department of Justice)

“LBI Agents were assigned to review information in attempt to determine if anyone, from the OPSO staff or outside personnel, assisted in the escape. During a mirandized interview with Williams, he explained to Agents that he turned the water off from the outside pipe walk area on the exterior of cell 6 under direction of a light skinned black male with tattoos on his face, whom he named as ‘Massey,’ formally known as Antoine Massey, who threatened to shank him if he did not turn the water off,” the affidavit said. 

According to Fox 8, Massey has a history of escaping from custody. 

“There isn’t an ounce of this man’s history that doesn’t say ‘escape,’” Matt Dennis of ASAP Electronic Monitors, which provides ankle monitoring services, told the outlet. “He had no intention of wearing an ankle monitor.”

The five men who remain on the run are:

• 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.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Louisiana State Police, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and FBI New Orleans for comment. 

Fox News’ Adam Sabes and Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.