New Orleans law enforcement has arrested 4 additional tied to the inmates who escaped last week from the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility, bringing the total number of accused accomplices to 11. Authorities say these individuals helped the fugitives either before, during, or after the brazen jailbreak.
Those arrested over the weekend include 18-year-old Patricia Vanburen, 27-year-old Tyshanea “Minnie” Randolph, 47-year-old Lenton Vanburen Sr., and 40-year-old Angel McKey.
A search warrant was executed at a home in New Orleans’ 7th District in an effort to locate Vanburen Jr., but he was not found at the residence.
All four of the latest suspects are believed to have played roles specifically in helping Vanburen Jr. evade police capture. The arrests follow closely on the heels of Friday’s apprehension of 28-year-old Emmitt Weber, who authorities say assisted two other inmates following the escape.
As of Sunday, five out of the original ten escapees are still on the run.
The most recent inmate taken into custody was Corey Boyd, who was arrested Tuesday. Other fugitives previously recaptured include Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, and Gary Price.
Authorities are continuing to round up those suspected of aiding the fugitives. Two more suspects, Casey Smith and Cortnie Harris, were arrested earlier for their alleged involvement. Another woman, 59-year-old Connie Weeden, reportedly transferred money to fugitive Jermaine Donald via a cellphone app. She is now facing a felony charge as an accessory after the fact.
The following inmates remain at large and are considered dangerous:
— Lenton Vanburen Jr., 27 – Charged with illegal possession of weapons, being a felon in possession of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and smuggling contraband into prison.
— Jermaine Donald, 42 – Charged with second-degree murder, aggravated battery, firearm possession by a felon, and obstruction of justice.
— Antoine Massey, 32 – Wanted for domestic abuse involving strangulation, vehicle theft, and violating parole.
— Derrick Groves, 27 – Faces multiple charges including three counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and assaulting a correctional officer.
— Leo O. Tate Sr., 31 – Accused of burglary of an inhabited dwelling, firearm possession by a felon, illegal weapon carrying, vehicle theft, and various drug-related offenses.
The Orleans Parish Jail remains under heightened scrutiny as law enforcement continues their manhunt and investigates how such a large-scale escape was coordinated with outside help. The growing list of accomplices suggests this was a planned and supported operation, not a spontaneous act, prompting renewed questions about prison security and community accountability.