Crime
11 inmates escaped the Orleans Parish prison in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The Orleans Parish Justice Center was placed on full lockdown Friday morning after jail officials discovered that 11 inmates had escaped from the facility.
According to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the escape was discovered during a routine head count at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Sheriff Susan Hutson confirmed that one of the escapees, Kendell Myles, has since been recaptured by Louisiana State Police, while 10 others remain at large.
A manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies is now underway across the region.
Several of the escapees were being held on violent charges, including second-degree murder, and are considered armed and dangerous, according to authorities.
Names and Charges of Escapees:
- Antoine Massey – Charged with domestic abuse by strangulation and vehicle theft
- Lenton VanBuren – Facing charges of illegal carrying of weapons, felon in possession of a firearm, obstruction of justice, and introducing contraband into a prison
- Leo Tate – Charged with simple burglary of a dwelling, felon in possession of a firearm, and illegal carrying of a weapon
- Kendell Myles (RECOVERED) – Charged with attempted concealment of a weapon, introduction of contraband, and possession of contraband
- Derrick Groves – Facing three counts of attempted second-degree murder
- Jermain Donald – Charges not yet disclosed
- Corey Boyd – Charges not yet disclosed
- Gary Price – Charges not yet disclosed
- Robert Moody – Charges not yet disclosed
- Decannon Dennis – Charges not yet disclosed
- Keith Lewis – Charges not yet disclosed
Authorities have not yet disclosed the circumstances of the escape, but an internal investigation is underway to determine how the breach occurred.
All inmates involved were reportedly housed in the same tier of the facility and were awaiting trial for serious offenses.
The Justice Center remains under heightened security, and law enforcement is asking residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the escaped inmates is urged to contact 911 immediately or report tips anonymously to Crimestoppers.
The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.