Jail employee arrested says he helped 10 inmates escape only because he was threatened, sources say
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE/Gray News) - The maintenance worker arrested after 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail says he only helped because he was threatened.
Sterling Williams, 33, an employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, was arrested and charged with 10 counts of principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office.
Sources say Williams is a maintenance worker who turned off the water to the cell where the inmates escaped. After being booked into jail, Williams was relocated to a different facility.
Williams says one of the inmates, Antoine Massey, allegedly threatened to shank him if he did not turn off the water.
Security footage shows the inmates yanking open a door before officials say they escaped through a hole behind a toilet, broke through a wall, and exited via a supply dock. Three cameras in that unit were offline.
OPSO has itted the escape was aided by “defective locks” and possible “internal assistance.”
Four inmates have been recaptured after State Troopers arrested Gary Price Monday in New Orleans East. Surveillance video from a home on Good Drive shows Price surrendering with his hands up. Price had been jailed for attempted first-degree murder.
The six remaining fugitives are still considered armed and dangerous. They are:
- Derrick Groves, convicted of killing two people and shooting two others on Mardi Gras Day in 2018.
- Antoine Massey, held on domestic abuse and vehicle theft charges, with prior escapes dating back to 2007. Also wanted in St. Tammany Parish for kidnapping and rape.
- Lenton Vanburen, accused of a 2021 homicide in New Orleans East.
- Jermaine Donald, charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, weapons violations, and obstruction of justice.
- Leo Tate, awaiting trial on burglary, drug, and weapons charges.
- Corey Boyd, accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.
Sheriff Susan Hutson says she takes full responsibility for the failure of the jail.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick says all six fugitives are likely still within city limits.
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