Calls for Resignation of New Orleans Sheriff After Prison Escape

Two Louisiana Democrats are demanding that Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson resign following the escape of ten prisoners.

Amy Addatt Freeman, a state representative from New Orleans, called for Hutson to step down in a Facebook post on Monday. She described the escape as “a surprising failure in leadership.” After the incident at the Orleans Judicial Center on Friday, law enforcement managed to arrest five of the escapees.

“Sheriff Hutson’s primary job is to keep inmates detained. She didn’t succeed. Instead of taking responsibility, she’s pointing fingers,” Freeman stated. She also criticized Hutson for attributing the situation to a lack of funds, despite the Sheriff’s Office reportedly sitting on a $14 million reserve. “I’ve been working to secure state funding for Domestic Violence Programs for the Sheriff’s Office. I would have fought for it. To blame lack of funding? That’s just not right,” she added. “New Orleans deserves better leadership right now. Sheriff Hutson should resign.”

Another local legislator, Jason Hughes, expressed similar sentiments, saying, “I can’t wrap my head around how ten people managed to escape. This raises serious public safety concerns and reflects on leadership.”

In response to the escape, Hutson claimed she would take “full accountability” in a statement to the New Orleans City Council. “This is deeply troubling to me as your sheriff. I know it’s equally troubling for you and the community we’re sworn to protect. I own this failure and acknowledge its urgency and necessity for transparency,” she told the council. “From the moment we discovered this violation, we were straightforward. Our community deserves answers and, more importantly, actions.”

On Tuesday evening, Hutson announced that she would temporarily suspend her reelection campaign.

As of now, Kendel Miles, Robert Moody, Gary Price, Dokentan Dennis, and Corey Boyd have been recaptured, leaving five more escapees at large. Boyd, the latest to be captured, had been in prison on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and threats against civil servants.

The remaining escapees include:

• Renton J. Vanbren Jr., 26, facing charges related to illegal weapon possession and obstructing justice.
• Jermaine Donald, 42, charged with second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
• Antoine Massey, 32, facing domestic abuse allegations including strangulation.
• Derrick Groves, 27, with multiple counts of attempted second-degree murder.
• Leo O. Tate Sr., 31, charged with robbery, illegal firearm possession, vehicle theft, and drug offenses.