A significant security breach at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans has led to the arrest of 33-year-old Sterling Williams, a former maintenance worker accused of facilitating the escape of ten inmates earlier this month. Williams, who has been taken into custody, admitted to investigators that he was threatened by inmates to cut off the water supply to a cell, enabling the escape.
According to authorities, the escape occurred around 1:00 a.m. on May 16, 2025. The inmates exploited faulty cell locks and removed a metal toilet and sink unit, creating a hole in the wall through which they fled. Graffiti left behind read “To Easy LoL” and “We Innocent,” mocking the ease of their escape. After squeezing through the hole, the group fled through a loading dock, scaled a wall, and ran across Interstate 10. The escape was not discovered until a routine headcount at 8:30 a.m., approximately seven hours later.
Williams faces ten counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office. He claimed that an inmate threatened to “shank” him with a homemade knife if he did not comply. Three other jail employees have been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
As of May 20, 2025, four of the ten escapees have been recaptured, while six remain at large. The fugitives include individuals charged with serious crimes such as second-degree murder, armed robbery, and domestic abuse. Authorities, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals, are actively searching for the remaining escapees and have offered rewards for information leading to their capture.
The incident has raised serious concerns about security lapses at the Orleans Justice Center, including unattended surveillance and defective locks. Sheriff Susan Hutson has acknowledged the possibility of inside help in the escape and emphasized systemic issues within the jail’s operation.
The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is leading the investigation and has pledged full prosecution of all involved. The escape has also prompted staff evacuations at the District Attorney’s Office and widespread criticism over delayed victim notifications.
This event underscores the need for comprehensive reforms in jail security and management to prevent such incidents in the future.