Crime
Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste Arrested for Aiding Escaped Inmates from Orleans Justice Center
New Orleans, LA – Authorities have arrested two individuals accused of aiding fugitives following the May 16, 2025, escape of ten inmates from the Orleans Justice Center.
As of now, five inmates have been recaptured while the search for the remaining five continues.
Following an intensive multi-agency investigation, Louisiana State Police (LSP) identified 32-year-old Cortnie Harris of New Orleans and 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste of Slidell as having provided assistance to the escapees.
According to investigators:
- Cortnie Harris was in direct phone communication with one of the escapees who remains at large. She is also accused of transporting two fugitives—still unaccounted for—to multiple locations within New Orleans in the days following the jailbreak.
- Corvanntay Baptiste allegedly maintained communication with captured escapee Corey Boyd through phone calls and social media. Authorities say Baptiste assisted Boyd by delivering food while Boyd was hiding at a residence.
Both Harris and Baptiste were arrested and charged with one felony count each under LRS 14:25 – Accessory After the Fact.
They have been booked into the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center.
Under Louisiana law, individuals convicted of being accessories after the fact may face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $500, or both, with or without hard labor.
Law enforcement officials from local, state, and federal agencies continue to pursue all leads to locate the remaining fugitives.
Authorities are issuing a firm warning that anyone found harboring or aiding these escapees will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Officials emphasize that assisting fugitives endangers public safety and will not be tolerated.
Anyone with information regarding the fugitives or the ongoing investigation is urged to contact law enforcement through one of the following channels:
- LSP.org – Report Suspicious Activity
- LSP Fusion Center Hotline
- Crime Stoppers Greater New Orleans
- FBI Tip Hotline
A total reward of up to $20,000 per fugitive is being offered for information leading to their arrest:
- Crime Stoppers GNO: $5,000
- ATF: $5,000
- FBI: $10,000
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.