Authorities in Louisiana are continuing their search for seven inmates who escaped a New Orleans jail on Friday. In a statement, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office stated that eleven inmates were discovered to be missing during a morning “routine headcount.” According to a social media post from the Louisiana State Police, one inmate suspected of escaping was found to be in another cell.
Out of the ten escaping the jail, authorities got to capture Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis. The first one was found soon after the escape, on Friday morning, at the the French Quarter. Dennis was captured near the Chef Menteur Highway, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
By now, they may have left the city or the state. According to an FBI statement, anyone who helps authorities find the escapees or gives tips leading to the arrest of one of them will be awarded with up to $5,000. However, anyone found to be aiding the inmates escape will be charged as an accomplice.
It has been reported that one cell had an opening that led to a maintenance corridor, which investigators believe explains at least one inmate’s escape. A former law enforcement officer told the Associated Press that the small opening would typically have been covered by a sink and toilet, which in this case might have been removed.
🚨ESCAPED INMATES🚨
11 men escaped OPSO custody at the Orleans Parish Jail — 10 remain at large.
If you recognize anyone pictured, DO NOT APPROACH — they may be armed & dangerous.
Call 911 immediately.
ANYONE HELPING THESE ESCAPEES WILL BE ARRESTED & CHARGED AS AN ACCOMPLICE. pic.twitter.com/xxSiwd4gi0
— New Orleans Police Department (@NOPDNews) May 16, 2025
Surveillance cameras recorded 10 inmates breaking out of a cell, running from the building, scaling a fence, using blankets to protect themselves from barbed wire, and escaping through the city. According to authorities, the employee who was supposed to monitor the video feed “stepped away” and missed the whole scene.
Blame is already being laid on officers staffing the facility and three employees have been placed on suspension waiting for further investigation. “There’s no excuse for this,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. “My office will do whatever it takes to determine how this happened and make sure that it won’t happen again.”
While Murrill’s statement indicates a mistake or oversight of some kind from guards at the facility, others believe they could have been in on the plan. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson says there are indications that the escapees “received assistance in their escape from individuals inside of our department.” Others have given indications that the inmates received outside help, while stopping short of accusing officers. “It’s more than likely that someone had help and they are not running around in a jumpsuit,” said New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
The fugitives are between the ages of 19 and 42, with most being in their 20s. Among them is Derrick Groves, who was convicted of two murder charges and two attempted murder charges after killing two men on Mardi Gras in 2018. Corey Boyd, another escapee, is facing a second-degree murder charge, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
