An Orleans Parish Jail maintenance worker has been arrested in connection with the escape of 10 inmates from that jail on Friday.
Sterling Williams, 33, has been arrested and charged with 10 counts of principal to simple escape and malfeasance in office, according to a Tuesday morning statement from Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office.
“Williams admitted to agents that one of the escapees advised him to turn the water off in the cell where the inmates escaped from,” Murrill said in the statement. “Instead of reporting the inmate, Williams turned the water off as directed allowing the inmates to carry out their scheme to successfully escape.”
Photo of Sterling Williams, accused of helping 10 inmates escape from the Orleans Parish Jail. (Louisiana Department of Justice)
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The release said that he was booked into the Orleans Parish Jail, the same one from which he allegedly helped the inmates escape, but that he will be transferred to a different facility.
“This is a continuing investigation, and we will provide updates as often as possible. We will uncover all the facts eventually and anyone who aided and abetted will be prosecuted to the full extent the law allows. I encourage anyone who knows anything and even those who may have provided assistance to come forward now to obtain the best possible outcome in their particular case,” said Murrill.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is calling for a full investigation of the incident. (Louisiana Attorney General’s Office)
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Ten inmates escaped from the prison early Friday morning, and six remain on the run as of midday Tuesday.
The most recent arrest came on Monday night.
Gary C. Price, 21, who was in jail awaiting trial on multiple counts of attempted murder, was captured by the Louisiana State Police (LSP).
LSP said Tuesday morning that Price was arrested in New Orleans East by their detectives and a SWAT team. He was flown by helicopter back to jail.
New Orleans jail escapee Gary Price is escorted to a helicopter by police who captured him. (Louisiana State Police)
However, the escapee who is considered most dangerous is Derrick Groves, 27, who remains at large.
He was convicted of killing two men on Mardi Gras in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward in 2018, and was in the jail awaiting sentencing for the crime.
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According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, Groves was indicted federally on nine counts of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, eight counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, six counts of obstruction of justice and two counts of drug trafficking conspiracy.
