Three more inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail earlier this month were recaptured on Monday, the Louisiana State Police (LSP) said in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
Only two out of the 10 escapees remain on the loose, Antoine T. Massey and Derrick Groves, the post said.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill had announced earlier today the capture of inmate Lenton Vanburen, 26, in Baton Rouge, about 80 miles northwest of New Orleans.
The other two inmates recaptured by authorities, Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald, were arrested in Walker County, Texas, by the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to the LSP’s X post.
Newsweek has reached out to Murrill’s office and LSP for further comment via email Monday night during non-working hours.
Why It Matters
The escape has raised serious concerns about jail security and potential internal complicity.
As reported by Newsweek, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said earlier this month that there were signs that the inmates may have “received assistance in their escape from individuals inside of our department.”
Three jail employees were suspended amid an investigation into the escape, which sparked multiple manhunts as officials searched for the men.
What To Know
The inmates were able to escape using hair snipping tools that they dug into the wall to create a hole behind a toilet, Newsweek previously reported.
According to Murrill, the two men taken into custody in Texas both had multiple charges.
“Tate was originally incarcerated on charges of burglary, possession of firearm by felon, and illegal carrying of weapon. He also has criminal history that includes attempted second degree murder,” she wrote on X. “Donald was originally on charges of second degree murder, aggravated battery, and possession of firearm by felon.”
Vanburen was initially being held for charges of parole violation, possession of firearm by felon, and illegal carrying of a weapon, Murrill said.
He was recaptured just two days after five people were arrested in connection with the escape, according to local news station Fox 13 Tampa.
The station reported that among those arrested were 28-year-old Lenika Vanburen, 18-year-old Patricia Vanburen, 47-year-old Lenton Vanburen Sr. who is Vanburen’s father.
Jail records show that Vanburen Sr. is being held on a $1 million bond for a charge of accessory after the fact as well as a charge of theft. Patricia Vanburen was arrested on a charge of accessory after the fact and is also being held on a $1 million bond, according to jail records.
There are currently no available jail records for Lenika Vanburen.
Of the two inmates still left to be recaptured, Massey was in jail facing charges of domestic abuse and car theft and Groves was convicted last year of two counts of second-degree murder.
What People Are Saying
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill wrote in her post on X on Monday: “Great work by all our law enforcement agencies in Louisiana and @TexasDPS1!”
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said as previously reported by Newsweek: “We are launching a full investigation to determine how this escape occurred, including reviewing facility protocols, staff performance, and physical security measures. Any lapses or failures that contributed to this incident will be addressed swiftly and with full accountability.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said during a press conference earlier this month: “This massive jailbreak could be the largest jailbreak in the history of the state, and it never should have happened. The public deserves to know who, what and how this happened.”
What Happens Next?
It is unclear when the three recaptured inmates will be in court to face their additional charges.
Anyone with information about the remaining two escaped inmates or the jail break is urged to call the Louisiana State Police.
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