10 Men Escape New Orleans Jail Through Hole in Cell Wall While Lone Guard Left to Get Food

NEW ORLEANS – In a daring overnight breakout, 10 men escaped from a New Orleans jail Friday by slipping through a hole behind a toilet in their cell and scaling a wall — all while the lone guard assigned to their pod stepped away to get food, authorities revealed.

Seven of the escapees remain on the run, including suspects charged with murder. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson suggested the escape might have been aided by inside help, adding to the concerns over the jail’s deteriorating security.

How They Got Out

Surveillance video released by officials shows the inmates sprinting out of the facility. Some wore the usual orange jumpsuits, others white, as they climbed a fence using blankets to avoid barbed wire injuries before scattering across a nearby interstate and into a local neighborhood.

A photo obtained by The Associated Press reveals the escape hole — a gap behind a toilet in the cell wall with graffiti above it saying, “To Easy LoL”, with an arrow pointing to the opening.

Long Delay Before Discovery

Remarkably, the escape went unnoticed for over seven hours. A routine morning headcount at 8:30 a.m. finally alerted authorities to the empty cells.

The lone guard was not at the pod during the breakout; instead, a civilian technician who normally observes the area had stepped away for food, officials said.

Captures and Ongoing Manhunt

• Kendall Myles, 20, was caught shortly after the escape in the French Quarter. He has a history of juvenile detention breaks.
• By Friday evening, two more escapees, Robert Moody, 21, and Dkenan Dennis, were also captured.
• Seven fugitives remain at large as the search continues with support from local, state, and federal agencies. Louisiana State Police confirmed they are actively searching and transported captured inmates to a secure state facility outside New Orleans.

Jail’s Failing Infrastructure and Possible Inside Help

Sheriff Hutson blamed “defective locks” for enabling the breakout and said she had repeatedly warned officials about the jail’s crumbling infrastructure — even pushing for funding to fix it as recently as this week.

She also hinted at inside assistance: “It’s almost impossible, not completely, but almost impossible for anybody to get out of this facility without help,” she said.

Investigators found at least one steel bar near the plumbing cut with a tool, further suggesting deliberate tampering.

Who Are the Escapees?

The escapees are mostly in their 20s, with ages ranging from 19 to 42. Some are charged with serious crimes:

• Derrick Groves was convicted last year for multiple charges related to the 2018 Mardi Gras Day shootings.
• Corey Boyd faces a second-degree murder charge and had pleaded not guilty.

Technology and Efforts Aiding the Search

Officials used facial recognition technology through Project NOLA’s extensive camera network to track the escapees. Two were spotted walking in the French Quarter shortly after the escape, though they tried to avoid detection by keeping their heads down.

Strong Criticism from Officials

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams blasted the jail’s handling of the incident, calling it a “complete failure” and criticizing the delay in notifying authorities and the public.

State Attorney General Liz Murrill called the escape “beyond unacceptable” and condemned the slow public alert, saying she alerted neighboring states to be on the lookout.

New Orleans Police and Federal Agencies Respond

The New Orleans Police Department has launched a “full court effort” to find the fugitives, working alongside the FBI and U.S. Marshals. They are also protecting potential witnesses and have relocated at least one family out of harm’s way.

Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick warned anyone aiding the fugitives would face charges.

A Jail with a Troubled Past

The Orleans Justice Center has struggled with security issues for years, even under federal oversight meant to improve conditions. It replaced the old Orleans Parish Prison in 2015 after decades of escapes and in-custody deaths.

The facility is currently about 60% staffed, and officials say they can’t afford basic maintenance contracts to repair broken locks and doors.

Sheriff Hutson described the situation as staff being “stretched thin,” with many high-risk inmates requiring more secure housing than the jail can provide. Transfers to other facilities are underway.

Suspensions and Investigations

Three jail employees have been suspended while the investigation continues. It remains unclear if any of the suspended staff are suspected of assisting the escape or if the guard who left for food is among them.