Fact Check: More than a dozen arrests made for aiding inmate escape
What We Know
In May 2023, a significant jailbreak occurred at the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans, where ten inmates escaped by removing a toilet from a cell wall and fleeing through a hole. This incident led to a massive manhunt, and authorities have since arrested more than a dozen individuals accused of assisting in the escape. According to reports, these arrests include a jail maintenance worker who allegedly cut off water to the toilet, facilitating the escape (NBC News).
Antoine Massey, one of the escapees, was captured after being on the run for over a month, while another escapee, Derrick Groves, remains at large (ABC News). The Orleans Parish Sheriff, Susan Hutson, confirmed during a news conference that the investigation into the escape continues, with additional arrests likely as they gather more information (NBC News).
Analysis
The claim that "more than a dozen arrests made for aiding inmate escape" is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports indicate that at least 13 individuals have been arrested in connection with the jailbreak, which involved a coordinated effort to assist the inmates (NBC News). This includes allegations against a maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, who is accused of disabling the water supply to facilitate the escape. His lawyer has denied these allegations, asserting that the water was turned off due to a clog in an unused cell (NBC News).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they come from established news organizations like NBC News and ABC News, which have a history of accurate reporting. The information is corroborated by multiple outlets, enhancing its credibility. Additionally, the ongoing investigation suggests that more arrests could occur, further validating the claim that a significant number of individuals were involved in aiding the escape.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that more than a dozen arrests were made for aiding the inmate escape is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm that at least 13 individuals have been arrested in connection with the jailbreak, including a maintenance worker accused of facilitating the escape. The ongoing nature of the investigation indicates that this number could potentially increase.
