NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Ten inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail over two weeks ago did so by cutting a hole behind a toilet and received assistance from at least 14 accomplices. These individuals, primarily friends and family, provided crucial support, including food, cash, transportation, and shelter, according to court documents.

Records analyzed reveal the extent of the help the fugitives received both prior to and after their escape. Notably, one former jail employee allegedly transported escapee Lenton Vanburen to a relative's home and facilitated a FaceTime call with Vanburen's family on the day of his escape. Another accomplice offered Vanburen shelter in a vacant apartment he was hired to paint. Several others provided financial aid through various apps, gave misleading information to investigators, and communicated with the escapees through calls and messages. Currently, many of these individuals are facing felony charges, including accessory after the fact, with bond amounts set at $1 million or more.

In light of New Orleans' historical distrust of the criminal justice system, authorities increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of the remaining escapees—convicted murderer Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey, who is facing charges for kidnapping and rape—to $50,000 each. Special Agent Jonathan Tapp, in charge of the FBI's New Orleans office, emphasized the importance of community cooperation in locating the fugitives, acknowledging the difficulty involved in reporting friends or relatives.

Following the escape on May 16, police identified a woman connected to Groves who allegedly picked up Vanburen and transported him to a relative's residence. This unnamed woman, who shares a name with a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, faces no charges related to the escape. The former employee had previously encountered legal troubles for smuggling items into the jail, including drugs. These charges were dropped after the woman completed a diversion program.

Authorities also arrested a jail plumber implicated in the escape but his attorney maintains that he was merely performing routine maintenance on a toilet.

Investigations revealed that several escapees, including Massey, used internet phone services to communicate, which helped avoid detection by leaving fewer cellular signals. Escapee Corey Boyd, for example, messaged multiple contacts seeking money and threatened violence if they did not comply. The FBI traced Boyd's activities through his call history and identified his aunt as someone who assisted him while he was hiding, leading to his capture on May 20.

One of the women helping Massey had previously endured years of physical abuse from him and was aware of his escape plan. She misled the authorities during the investigation, and records reveal that she exchanged messages with Massey’s sister expressing hope that he would not be apprehended. Despite police surveillance on the sister's home, Massey managed to evade capture for days after the escape.

At least seven of those charged for aiding the escapees have connections to Lenton Vanburen Jr. In the days leading up to his escape, he used prison calls to instruct two of his sisters to contact an associate and provide her with a "clean phone." Following his escape, Vanburen was allowed to briefly shower and change clothes at a family member's home before being taken to another relative in Mississippi.

Vanburen was captured in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 26, with two men arrested for providing him shelter in a hotel and a renovating apartment. Meanwhile, a 59-year-old woman is accused of sending money to fugitive Jermaine Donald, who she claims is a family friend. Most individuals arrested for helping the escapees have yet to secure legal representation.

Colonel Robert Hodges of the Louisiana State Police emphasized that tips from the community remained vital in tracking down the remaining fugitives. He pointed out that the fugitives are likely feeling exhausted and on edge, increasing the need for public assistance in ensuring their capture.