New Orleans jail worker accused of helping inmates has bond set at $1.1M

(NewsNation) — A maintenance worker has been arrested in connection with the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans jail, according to the Louisiana attorney general’s office.

A fifth inmate, 19-year-old Corey Boyd, was captured and arrested Tuesday after Friday’s escape. The attorney general’s office said he will be facing additional charges related to the escape.

In a post on X, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said, “Halfway there. We will NOT slow down. You will ALL be captured.”

Maintenance worker faces $100K bond for each charge he faces

A maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, 33, was arrested Monday and faces 11 charges, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. His total bond amount has been set at $1.1 million, which is $100,000 for each charge he faces.

Murrill said Williams admitted to turning the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped from at their request.

The charges include 10 counts of principal to simple escape and one count of malfeasance in office.

According to the affidavit viewed by NewsNation, during Williams’ interview, he reportedly told Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents he had turned off the water under the direction of Antoine Massey, who “threatened to shank him if he did not turn the water off.”

Maintenance worker caught on camera talking to escapees

In a news conference on Tuesday, Murrill said if Williams was under threat, he had multiple opportunities to bring his concerns to authorities. She added that the report says he had malicious intent to help the inmates escape the jail.

Security cameras captured Williams talking to escapees Massey, Derrick Groves and an unidentified inmate, according to the affidavit.

Williams also told agents that Groves allegedly tried to take his phone to get him to “bring a book with cash app information to his cousin in the next pod over.”

Officials said if the inmates had removed the toilet without the water source being shut off, their escape wouldn’t have been successful, as the pod would have flooded and drawn attention.

4 other New Orleans jail employees suspended

Four employees, in addition to Williams, have been suspended for their parts during the investigation. Murrill said the investigation will also include the jail’s conditions that Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said needed fixing.

“We’re going to look at all the things to change those conditions, and at the same time hold everyone accountable that may have been involved before, during and after,” Murrill said.

Murrill also says anyone who is or has assisted the inmates with escaping and evading authorities should stop and will be prosecuted for doing so.

5 inmates are still at large

So far, five of the 10 inmates have been captured, and five remain at large.

Late Tuesday evening, Hutson suspended her reelection campaign for sheriff. In a post, she wrote, “I cannot spend a moment putting politics over your needs. Now is the time to focus on security, accountability, and public safety.”