Authorities in New Orleans are scrambling after ten dangerous inmates pulled off an audacious escape early Friday, leaving behind taunting graffiti and prompting a citywide manhunt.

On May 16, ten men classified as violent offenders slipped through a compromised section of Orleans Justice Center in the middle of the night, exploiting infrastructure flaws and possibly outside help to make their break while mocking law enforcement with graffiti messages, as the New York Post reports.

The escape was not discovered until more than eight hours later, leaving officials reeling over how so many inmates could have vanished unnoticed. Around midnight, the inmates moved a toilet to access a maintenance cavity behind their cell at the Orleans Justice Center. Hidden behind the toilet was a narrow, poorly secured porthole with weak metal bars -- just large enough for a person to crawl through.

After entering the maintenance area, the group navigated their way out of the jail, escaping into the darkened city. One witness reported seeing all ten men wearing standard-issue orange jumpsuits darting across Interstate 10 in the early morning hours. By the time a headcount was conducted at 8:30 a.m., the damage was done.

Graffiti taunts left behind by escapees

Adding insult to injury, the inmates left behind a series of mocking graffiti messages scrawled throughout the escape route. The messages included phrases like “To[o] Easy LOL,” “Catch us when you can,” and “Most Hated 9,” drawn alongside a smiley face with a stuck-out tongue. Another message read “I’m/We Innocent,” casting further defiance toward jail staff.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office responded with urgency, initiating a full lockdown of the jail and launching an internal investigation. Sheriff Susan Hutson expressed concern about the security flaws, clarifying that the back panel behind the toilet used in the escape could only be opened from the outside -- a detail that raised suspicions of outside assistance.

The jail’s already threadbare staffing worsened the problem. Hutson acknowledged that the facility is operating at just 60% staffing capacity, placing immense strain on those who remain and making structured surveillance more difficult.

3 escapees already back in custody

By Friday evening, three of the ten escapees were back behind bars. Kendall Myles, suspected of shooting a man, was apprehended around 11 a.m. while walking in the French Quarter. He was arrested without resistance, just blocks from popular tourist areas.

Later that evening, authorities recaptured two more fugitives: Dkenan Dennis, who was awaiting trial on armed robbery and illegal weapons charges, and Robert Moody, known for charges related to drug trafficking, battery, and obstruction. Both were located after an intensive search in nearby neighborhoods.

Officials warn that the seven remaining escapees are dangerous and may attempt to reach former trial witnesses or settle unresolved conflicts. Among them is Derrick Groves, convicted of a double homicide stemming from a 2018 Mardi Gras mass shooting. Law enforcement fears he could try to retaliate against witnesses who testified during his trial.

Fugitives include murder suspects, repeat escapee

Other escapees include Corey Boyed, facing charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery, and Gary Price, charged with attempted first-degree murder. Antoine Massey -- detained in connection with serious domestic abuse, kidnapping, and rape, and already a repeat escapee -- is also among the fugitives.

Lenton Venburen, charged in a 2021 murder with additional weapons and parole violations, remains at large. Leo Tate, arrested for burglary and weapons possession, is also missing. Officials mistakenly included Keith Lewis in the list of escapees but later clarified that he had only been relocated within the jail during the confusion.

Law enforcement agencies throughout Louisiana are supporting the manhunt, setting up checkpoints and patrols across New Orleans. Sheriff Hutson said all leads are being pursued, including reviewing security camera footage, staff interviews, and exploring the likelihood of aid from jail personnel or outsiders.

Lessons to learn

This escape underscores multiple vulnerability points within correctional systems and offers lessons for both public officials and private citizens concerned about safety.

1. Infrastructure flaws can have serious consequences. The inmates exploited a hidden, poorly secured panel that should never have been accessible from a cell. Institutions must modernize and conduct regular inspections of these critical weaknesses.

2. Staffing shortages increase risk for everyone. With only 60% staffing at the Orleans Justice Center, gaps in surveillance and monitoring allowed the breakout to go unnoticed for hours. Emergency staffing strategies must be implemented before crises unfold.

3. Public awareness and preparation matter. Members of the public must remain vigilant and report anything unusual, such as suspicious individuals near highways or public areas.

Why this story matters

The escape of ten violent offenders from a public jail inside New Orleans is more than a security lapse—it shakes the foundation of public trust in institutions meant to guarantee safety.

With several of the escapees accused or convicted of serious crimes, their presence in the community poses immediate risks.

Ensuring swift accountability and systemic reform is crucial not just to prevent future incidents but to rebuild community confidence.