'Threatened to stab if I didn't help': Jail staffer arrested for helping inmates escape New Orleans facility

A prison staffer has been arrested after he reportedly admitted to have helped 10 inmates escape a New Orleans jail last week.

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Maintenance worker Sterling Williams was asked by one of the escapees to "turn the water off in the cell” before the men slipped through the hole, according to a statement by office of the Louisiana attorney general.

As per an arrest affidavit, the escapee threatened to "shank" (slang for stab) Williams if the latter did not turn off the water. Another inmate tried to take Williams’ phone and attempted to get him to bring a book with cash app information.

However, the affidavit noted that the 33-year-old “wilfully and maliciously assisted” the inmates, and that without his help, the group would have flooded the cell and drawn attention to their efforts.

Williams is charged with 10 counts of principle to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office. Each charge carries a $100,000 bond.

Michael Kennedy, his appointed attorney, said at this time “we have every intention of entering a plea of not guilty.”

How inmates escaped

During a tense New Orleans City Council meeting on Tuesday, the sheriff who oversees the Orleans Justice Centre, detailed how the group escaped.

"The inmates removed a sink-toilet combination unit from a cell, then cut the steel bars behind the cell room sink. After bending the bars they slipped out. It's unclear what they used to saw through the bars," news agency AP quoted Sheriff Susan Hutson, as saying.

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"There were procedural failures and missed notifications, but there were also intentional wrongdoings. This was a coordinated effort aided by individuals inside our own agency who made the choice to break the law. We are continuing to pursue everyone involved," Hutson added.

Fifth arrest made

Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, Louisiana state police confirmed Corey Boyd, 19, became the fifth inmate to be apprehended.

Boyd is accused of killing a person who caught him and others trying to break into a car in April 2024.

Antoine Massey, identified in the affidavit as the inmate who threatened to stab Williams, the prison staffer, is one of the men still at large.