A New Orleans jail worker has been charged with helping 10 inmates escape the jail.
The inmates were able to escape the Orleans Justice Center on Friday by breaking into a cell, moving a toilet and squeezing out through a small opening in the wall — leaving behind grafitti reading “To Easy LoL.” Sterling Williams, the 33-year-old jail worker, has now been charged with 10 counts of principle to simple escape and malfeasance in office for allegedly turning off the water connected to the toilet, allowing the men to move it. According to an arrest warrant, Williams said one of the inmates threatened to “shank” him if he didn’t turn off the water, the Associated Press reported. But police said that Williams “willfully and maliciously assisted with the escape,” according to the AP.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the jail, said in a city council meeting Tuesday that she “takes full accountability” for the inmates escaping the jail.
“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,” Hutson said. “We are continuing to pursue everyone involved.”
