Authorities captured three escaped inmates from a New Orleans jail in separate operations spanning two states. The arrests come as officials intensify the search for two fugitives still on the run after one of the largest jailbreaks in Louisiana history.
Police arrested Jermaine Donald, 42, and Leo Tate, 31, on Monday, May 26, in Walker County, Texas, after a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies. The two men, originally held on charges including murder, weapons violations and burglary, now face additional charges related to their May 16 escape from the New Orleans facility.
🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒🔒
Excellent work @LAStatePolice and @TxDPS!
Antoine and Derrick— you are NEXT! pic.twitter.com/dNa9n3V7pz
— Governor Jeff Landry (@LAGovJeffLandry) May 27, 2025
Police apprehended Lenton Vanburen, 26, in Baton Rouge, reportedly found sitting outside a department store. He had faced jail time on firearms and parole violation charges.
How did the inmates escape?
According to investigators, the inmates removed a toilet, cut through steel bars, and fled through a hole in the wall. They scaled a barbed-wire fence using blankets. A photo released by authorities showed graffiti above the toilet reading “To Easy Lol” and “We Innocent.”
Officials allege Sterling Williams, a jail maintenance worker, helped facilitate the escape by cutting off the water supply to a cell, enabling inmates to remove the toilet without triggering alarms. Williams told investigators one inmate threatened to “shank” him if he didn’t comply. Authorities have since charged him with malfeasance in office and multiple counts of being a principal to escape.
Who remains at large?
As of Tuesday, authorities have recaptured eight of the ten escaped inmates. They consider the remaining fugitives — Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27 — armed and dangerous. Courts convicted Groves of second-degree murder, and prosecutors have charged Massey with domestic abuse and vehicle theft.
Were others involved in the escape?
Authorities have arrested at least 13 people accused of assisting the escapees, including family members and jail inmates. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and phone logs, and say more charges could follow.
The Louisiana Department of Corrections has deployed auditors to examine security failures at the Orleans Justice Center.
contributed to this report.
