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Three more inmates who escaped from New Orleans' main jail are captured

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Three more inmates who escaped from New Orleans' main jail are captured


Three inmates accused of escaping from New Orleans’ main lockup in one of Louisiana’s biggest jailbreaks ever have been apprehended, leaving two at large, officials said Monday.

Jermaine Donald, 42, who was jailed on charges of second-degree murder and other crimes before he escaped, was taken into custody in Texas with another inmate accused of fleeing the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement.

That inmate, Leo Tate, 31, had been in custody on burglary and firearms charges, Murrill said.

The Texas Department of Public Safety arrested the two men in Walker County, north of Houston, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

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Separately, Lenton Vanburen, 26, who was jailed on firearms and parole violation charges, was taken into custody in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the city’s police department said in a statement.

The three inmates will face additional charges, Murrill said in a statement. It was not immediately clear whether they have lawyers to speak on their behalf.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair attributed the capture of Donald and Tate to a dayslong, multi-agency effort that tracked the pair to the Houston metro area. He said the U.S. Marshals Office for the Southern District of Texas responded after being forwarded a “collateral lead.”

The suspects were taken into custody during a traffic stop, he said.

Fair described the remaining two inmates who have not been captured as “extremely dangerous” and said they could be anywhere.

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“Both of them and other of the people on the run have had a support network in the New Orleans area, but they could be outside of the New Orleans area,” he said. “It’s going to take a lot more work to figure out where they are exactly.”

One of the men, Derrick Groves, was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder last October.

Several people, including a jail maintenance worker, have been accused of assisting in the escape.

Sterling Williams, who was charged with principle to simple escape and malfeasance in office, cut off the water to a cell’s toilet so inmates could remove it without flooding the area, Murrill alleged in a news release last week.

According to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant, Williams told authorities that one of the inmates who escaped threatened to “shank” him if he did not help.

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That inmate, identified in the document as Antoine Massey, has not been apprehended.

Williams’ lawyer disputed the affidavit, saying his client was unaware of the inmates’ escape plan. Williams turned off the water, the attorney told the Associated Press, to help fix a clogged toilet.

After the men removed the toilet, the affidavit alleges, the inmates sawed through steel bars and escaped through a hole in the wall before they scaled a barbed-wire fence using blankets.

A photo released by authorities showed the phrases “To Easy Lol” and “We Innocent” written above the toilet.



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Insider loans? Audit raises red flags over Louisiana orphan well program

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Insider loans? Audit raises red flags over Louisiana orphan well program


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A private organization entrusted with money intended to protect Louisiana from the cost of abandoned oil and gas wells used funds to make below-market loans benefiting a senior state regulator, his re…


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Driver dies from gunshot wound after Louisiana State Police chase in New Orleans

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Driver dies from gunshot wound after Louisiana State Police chase in New Orleans


NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A driver died from a gunshot wound after a Louisiana State Police car chase in New Orleans Saturday evening (June 20), but troopers say they did not fire the gun.

Troop NOLA confirmed the car chase ended near Franklin Avenue and North Miro Street Saturday. Troopers said they found the driver shot and brought them to the hospital, where that person died.

The driver’s identity has not been released.

A Troop NOLA spokesperson said he could not confirm if anyone else was in the car, if anyone has been arrested, or if troopers found a gun.

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A spokesperson said more details will be released as a state police force investigation continues.

Troop NOLA is a special investigation unit tasked with proactive policing, traffic enforcement and crime reduction.

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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.

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Shelby Bordelon crowned Miss Louisiana 2026

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Shelby Bordelon crowned Miss Louisiana 2026


MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Shelby Bordelon of Iberville Parish was crowned Miss Louisiana 2026 Saturday night in Monroe, earning the title and a $15,000 scholarship. Bordelon, a graduate student at Southeastern Louisiana University, said the role is about more than pageantry, emphasizing the yearlong service mission tied to the crown.

“Part of the mission of this organization is the service behind it,” Bordelon said. “And the service is so important, you are serving your state for a year… having the opportunities to connect with others… to continue making an impact and leaving my mark on others as well.”

Bordelon, who finished first runner-up in last year’s competition, said the moment her name was called as the winner still hasn’t fully sunk in.

“It was every emotion you could think of that was running through my mind at that moment,” she said, adding she focused on preparation and perspective this year. “I really wanted to go into this year with no regrets… just really trusting in that mindset and that plan.”

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Bordelon said she hopes to use her platform to raise awareness for her nonprofit, Claire’s Promise, which focuses on combating drunk driving.

You can learn more about the nonprofit here. She will now represent Louisiana at the Miss America Pageant, which begins in late August in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.



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