A maintenance worker at the Orleans Parish Jail has pleaded guilty in connection with a jailbreak that resulted in ten inmates going on the run after breaking out of the jail last year.
Sterling Williams pleaded guilty to a charge of malfeasance in office. He originally faced that charge plus ten counts of simple escape.
Those ten charges were dismissed, and Williams was sentenced to five years in prison and a three year probationary period once he completes his sentence.
This comes as the ten inmates who escaped the jail await their trial in 2027.
A judge set the trial for April 5, 2027.
Those who escaped the jail last year include Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis , Gary Price, Lenton Vanburen, Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Kendall Myles, Corey E. Boyd, Antoine Massey, and Derrick Groves.
All are facing charges of simple escape.
Court records show maintenance worker’s role in the jailbreak:
Williams admitted to turning off the water so the toilet could be removed from the wall in the cell. At the time of the jailbreak, sources told WDSU Williams was forced to help the inmates.
Court documents show Williams told authorities that Antoine Massey, one of the escaped inmates, threatened to shank him if he didn’t turn the water off to the cell.
Williams was seen on surveillance footage talking with Massey, Derrick Groves, and another inmate.
According to court documents, Williams said Groves tried to take his phone and asked him to bring a book with Cash App information to his cousin in the next pod over.
“By turning off the water to cell 6 bottom in the 1D dorm, Williams willfully and maliciously assisted with the escape of the 10 inmates. With the water being turned off, the inmates were able to successfully make good on their escapes. Williams admitted to Agents he committed the acts after he was directed to do so by one of the inmates who escaped, Antoine Massey,” court documents read.
Court documents show Williams did not report the inmate’s plan to escape and did not come forward initially after being questioned by agents.
Former Sheriff Susan Hutson confirmed at the time of the jailbreak that three employees were suspended without pay in connection with the investigation into the escape.
Hutson is also facing charges in connection with the investigation into the jailbreak.
READ MORE:Maintenance worker pleads guilty, sentenced in connection with Orleans Parish jailbreak
