Louisiana Woman Arrested for Aiding Mass Jailbreak from Orleans Parish Facility

Police enter a New Orleans home as they pursue a fugitive that escaped from a city jail.

A 59-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the escape of 10 inmates from Orleans Parish Jail, marking the third arrest of a woman linked to the jailbreak incident that occurred on May 16. Louisiana State Police confirmed the arrest in a Thursday night statement.

Connie Weeden, of Slidell, was taken into custody and charged with one count of being an accessory after the fact. Investigators allege Weeden assisted the fugitives by maintaining communication with one of the still-missing escapees, Jermaine Donald, both before and after the prison break. Authorities also say Weeden sent Donald money through a mobile payment app following the escape.

Weeden was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. It remains unclear whether she has obtained legal representation.

The 10 inmates have been identified as Corey Boyd, Dkenan Dennis, Jermaine Donald, Derrick Groves, Antoine Massey, Robert Moody, Kendell Myles, Gary Price, Leo Tate and Lenton Vanburen. - From New Orleans Police Department

Out of the 10 escapees, five have been recaptured while the other five remain at large. Law enforcement agencies across local, state, and federal levels continue to collaborate in the search for the remaining fugitives.

Weeden is the third woman to be charged in connection with the escape. On Wednesday, Cortnie Harris and Corvanntay Baptiste were also arrested and charged as accessories after the fact for their alleged involvement in aiding the inmates.

The Louisiana State Police shared images of Gary Price after he was arrested in New Orleans East on Monday. - Louisiana State Police

Additionally, a maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, was arrested earlier in the week. Authorities allege Williams cut off the water supply to a jail cell, enabling the inmates to remove a toilet and escape through a hole behind it.

The three women face up to five years in prison if convicted of their charges. Law enforcement officials emphasized their commitment to pursuing all leads and warned that anyone aiding the fugitives will be held accountable.

Authorities are offering combined rewards totaling $20,000 for information that leads to the arrest of the remaining escapees. The public is urged to contact the FBI, Crimestoppers, or the Louisiana State Police with any relevant information.