Corvanntay Baptiste and Cortnie Harris Arrested for Aiding New Orleans Jail Escapees: A Detailed Account of the May 16, 2025, Orleans Justice Center Breakout and Subsequent Manhunt
Corvanntay Baptiste and Cortnie Harris Arrested for Aiding New Orleans Jail Escapees: A Detailed Account of the May 16, 2025, Orleans Justice Center Breakout and Subsequent Manhunt
On May 16, 2025, a significant security breach occurred at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, when ten inmates escaped through a hole behind a toilet in their cell. This escape, described as one of the largest in the state’s history, has led to a comprehensive investigation involving multiple arrests, including those of Corvanntay Baptiste and Cortnie Harris, who are accused of assisting the escapees.(WSJ)
The Escape
The escape took place in the early hours of May 16. Inmates removed a combination sink-toilet unit from the wall, revealing a hole through which they exited the facility. Surveillance footage captured the inmates fleeing through a loading dock, scaling a fence, and disappearing into the night. Notably, a message scrawled near the escape point read “To Easy LoL,” indicating premeditation and mocking the facility’s security measures .(CBS News, Wikipedia)
The escape went unnoticed for several hours. A routine headcount at 8:30 a.m. revealed the absence of the inmates, prompting an immediate manhunt. The delay in detection raised questions about the facility’s staffing and monitoring protocols.(CBS News)
The Escapees
The ten escapees were identified as follows:
- Corey Boyd
- Kendell Myles
- Robert Moody
- Gary Price
- Dkenan Dennis
- Antoine Massey
- Lenton Vanburen
- Jermaine Donald
- Leo Tate
- Derrick Groves(Wikipedia)
These individuals faced various charges, including murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and domestic abuse .(The Washington Post)
Arrests of Corvanntay Baptiste and Cortnie Harris
As the investigation progressed, authorities arrested Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, of Slidell, and Cortnie Harris, 32, of New Orleans, on charges of being accessories after the fact. Baptiste is accused of providing food and shelter to Corey Boyd, one of the escapees who has since been recaptured. Harris allegedly transported two escapees to various locations around New Orleans and maintained communication with them before and after the escape .(WSJ, lsp.org)
Both women were booked into the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison and a $500 fine .(The Washington Post, WSJ)
Investigation into Jail Staff
The escape has prompted scrutiny of the Orleans Justice Center’s staff and procedures. Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker at the facility, was arrested for allegedly turning off the water supply to the inmates’ cell, facilitating the removal of the toilet and the subsequent escape. Williams claims he was unaware of the inmates’ intentions and was merely responding to a maintenance request .(WSJ, Wikipedia, AP News)
Additionally, three jail employees have been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the investigation .(Wikipedia)
Ongoing Manhunt and Public Safety Concerns
As of May 22, 2025, five of the ten escapees have been recaptured: Corey Boyd, Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Gary Price, and Dkenan Dennis. The remaining five—Antoine Massey, Lenton Vanburen, Jermaine Donald, Leo Tate, and Derrick Groves—are still at large. Authorities have launched a multi-agency manhunt involving local, state, and federal law enforcement to apprehend the fugitives.
The escape has raised significant public safety concerns, given the serious charges faced by the escapees. Law enforcement officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any information that could lead to the capture of the remaining fugitives.
Conclusion
The May 16 escape from the Orleans Justice Center highlights critical vulnerabilities in jail security and oversight. The arrests of Corvanntay Baptiste and Cortnie Harris underscore the seriousness with which authorities are treating any assistance provided to the escapees. As the investigation continues, further developments are anticipated, including potential additional arrests and policy reforms aimed at preventing future incidents of this nature.(The Guardian)
For ongoing updates, please refer to official statements from the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police.(AP News)
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