NEW ORLEANS — Authorities arrested Connie Weeden, 59, Thursday, accusing her of aiding inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center last week by sending cash via a cell phone app to one of the fugitives, Jermaine Donald.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
Weeden was taken into custody in Slidell, about 30 miles northeast of New Orleans, Louisiana State Police reported.
- She allegedly communicated with Donald both before and after the breakout.
- Weeden faces one felony count of accessory after the fact, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $500.
- Weeden is being held at St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.
Other suspects linked to the jailbreak include:
- Sterling Williams, a maintenance worker accused of turning off the water to a toilet near the escape point, faces multiple charges including malfeasance in office.
- Two more people arrested previously also face accessory after the fact charges for helping inmates evade capture.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill indicated Williams may have been involved in the escape over several days, not just on the night it happened.
Ongoing Jail Audits and Political Fallout
The escape has prompted a thorough investigation into the Orleans Justice Center’s operations:
- The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has sent 10 experienced auditors to assess jail security, staffing, and policies.
- Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order calling for a swift multi-agency response and demanding transparency and accountability.
- Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has suspended her re-election campaign amid mounting criticism and an ongoing probe.
- District Attorney Jason Williams and Attorney General Murrill toured the jail as part of the investigation.
Current Status and Next Steps
Five of the ten escapees remain at large as the search continues.
- The five recaptured inmates are now held without bond at Louisiana State Penitentiary.
- The escapees face serious charges including aggravated assault with a firearm, false imprisonment with a weapon, and murder.
- Authorities continue to follow leads in the manhunt and investigate potential accomplices.
Information sourced from:
- Louisiana State Police
- Office of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill
- Local news reports including CNN and Fox News
