New Orleans jail break: two women arrested for aiding prisoners, face 5 years in prison

Two women have been arrested and charged with assisting fugitives in the aftermath of the sensational break from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, a crime that uncovered profound security weaknesses and launched a massive manhunt throughout the region.

Louisiana State Police said Wednesday that New Orleans' Cortnie Harris, 32, and Slidell's Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, each face felony accessory after the fact charges. Both are being held in the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center, about 30 miles south of downtown New Orleans. They could receive up to five years in prison if convicted.

As of police reports, Harris had been in telephone contact with one or more inmates before the escape—a man who is still loose—and is charged with driving two escapees to several locations throughout New Orleans. The authorities did not release the names of the escapees she supposedly helped, but both are still on the loose as the manhunt reaches its sixth day.


Also read: New Orleans jail break

Baptiste's involvement was believed to be focused on Corey Boyd, one of the escapees who was reapprehended Tuesday evening. According to investigators, she spoke with Boyd by phone and on social media while he was being pursued and gave him food as he remained hidden in a New Orleans home, directly assisting him in evading police for several days. Police have not said whether Harris or Baptiste have attorneys at this point.

The arrest of Harris and Baptiste follows a wider investigation into the break-out, which took place in the early morning hours on May 16 when ten prisoners smashed open a cell door, removed a toilet and sink fixture, and crawled through a hole behind the pipes to escape from the jail. Five of the ten escaped prisoners have been recaptured, with the other five now being "armed and dangerous" and still on the run.

Sterling Williams, a maintenance employee at the jail, has also been arrested by authorities. He is said to have facilitated the escape by turning off the water supply on the request of an inmate so that the inmates could break the toilet and create an escape. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill emphasized the gravity of the situation by saying, "Those who choose to aid or shelter these individuals are breaking the law and will be held accountable.".

The multi-agency manhunt is ongoing, with authorities encouraging the public to come forward if they have any information on the fugitives. The case has renewed demands for drastic reforms in the security and staffing of the jails following criticism of the Orleans Justice Center for years of infrastructure shortcomings and oversight shortcomings.

As the search goes on, authorities have stated categorically that anyone caught helping the escapees will be prosecuted, highlighting the serious risks involved in such efforts for public safety