Father of escaped New Orleans inmate arrested alongside four others, bringing total to twelve arrests in a case that reveals dangerous family networks aiding fugitives.
Key Takeaways
- Five new arrests, including the father of escapee Lenton Vanburen Jr., bring total to 12 people charged with aiding New Orleans jail fugitives
- Five of the original ten escaped inmates remain at large and are considered armed and dangerous
- Family members and associates provided critical resources and information to help fugitives evade capture
- The case exposes significant security vulnerabilities in the New Orleans correctional system
Family Network Exposed in Prison Break Investigation
Louisiana law enforcement officials have arrested five more individuals accused of aiding an inmate’s escape from a New Orleans correctional facility, bringing the total number of accomplices to twelve. The recent arrests include Lenika Vanburen, Patricia Vanburen, Tyshanea “Minnie” Randolph, Angel McKey, and notably, Lenton Vanburen Sr., the father of one of the escaped inmates, Lenton Vanburen Jr. This father-son connection highlights the familial networks that often complicate efforts to recapture escaped prisoners and demonstrates how personal relationships can be exploited to facilitate criminal activities.
Despite executing a search warrant in New Orleans’ 7th District specifically targeting Lenton Vanburen Jr., authorities were unable to locate the fugitive. The five newly arrested individuals are specifically accused of helping Vanburen Jr. evade capture, providing resources and critical information that has allowed him to remain hidden from law enforcement. This pattern of support from family members and associates represents a significant challenge for authorities working to recapture the remaining fugitives and secure the safety of the community.
UPDATE: 2 captured, 8 remain at large following an escape from Orleans jail in overnight breach https://t.co/BYYesWprql pic.twitter.com/B900r2pm2X
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) May 17, 2025
Expanding Web of Accomplices
These five arrests follow earlier apprehensions in the case, including Emmitt Weber, who was previously detained for allegedly assisting two inmates after their escape. Additionally, Casey Smith and Cortnie Harris face charges for allegedly aiding the escapees, while Connie Weeden has been charged as an accessory after the fact for allegedly providing cash to fugitive Jermaine Donald via a cellphone app. The growing number of arrests highlights the extensive support network that has enabled half of the original ten escapees to remain at large, showcasing the challenges authorities face when fugitives receive substantial assistance from outside collaborators.
The investigation has revealed a troubling pattern of civilian accomplices actively undermining law enforcement efforts. These individuals have reportedly provided fugitives with transportation, money, shelter, and information about police activities. Such coordinated assistance not only prolongs the manhunt but also increases the danger to the public and responding officers. The willingness of twelve different individuals to risk their own freedom to aid dangerous criminals raises serious questions about the influence these inmates maintain even while incarcerated.
Dangerous Fugitives Still at Large
While authorities have successfully recaptured Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, and Gary Price, five dangerous inmates remain on the run. Lenton Vanburen Jr., Jermaine Donald, Antoine Massey, Derrick Groves, and Leo O. Tate Sr. continue to evade capture, with law enforcement warning that these fugitives should be considered armed and dangerous. The ability of these inmates to remain hidden for an extended period suggests sophisticated planning and continued external support, presenting an ongoing threat to public safety and highlighting critical weaknesses in the correctional system’s security protocols.
The New Orleans jail break case exposes alarming vulnerabilities within the local correctional system that allowed ten inmates to escape simultaneously. Even more concerning is the apparent ease with which these fugitives have been able to recruit accomplices and establish support networks while on the run. As the investigation continues and arrests mount, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing law enforcement in maintaining the integrity of correctional facilities and protecting the public from dangerous criminals who exploit systemic weaknesses through their external connections.
