In a shocking display of familial betrayal, the father of escaped inmate Lenton Vanburen Jr. is among five new suspects charged with aiding his son and other fugitives who broke out of a New Orleans jail.
Key Takeaways
- Five additional arrests bring the total to 12 people charged with helping inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail
- Among those arrested is Lenton Vanburen Sr., who allegedly aided his son Lenton Vanburen Jr., who remains at large
- Despite executing a search warrant in New Orleans’ 7th District, authorities failed to locate Vanburen Jr.
- Five of the original 10 escaped inmates remain fugitives and are considered armed and dangerous
- The arrests highlight a growing network of accomplices who provided resources and information to help the escapees evade capture
Family Members and Associates Charged in Aiding Fugitives
Louisiana authorities have intensified their efforts to recapture escaped inmates by targeting their support network. Five more individuals have been arrested for allegedly assisting the fugitives who broke out of a New Orleans jail, bringing the total number of accomplices charged to twelve. The new arrests include family members and associates identified as Lenika Vanburen, Patricia Vanburen, Tyshanea “Minnie” Randolph, Lenton Vanburen Sr., and Angel McKey. These individuals are accused of providing various forms of assistance to help the escapees evade capture.
Particularly notable among the arrests is Lenton Vanburen Sr., who allegedly aided his own son, Lenton Vanburen Jr., who remains a fugitive. This family connection underscores the complex web of relationships that law enforcement must navigate when pursuing escaped inmates. Despite executing a search warrant in New Orleans’ 7th District specifically targeting Vanburen Jr., authorities were unable to locate him, suggesting the assistance provided by his father and others may have been substantial enough to keep him hidden from law enforcement.
These recent arrests build upon previous apprehensions in the case. Earlier, Emmitt Weber was taken into custody for allegedly assisting two inmates after their escape. Casey Smith and Cortnie Harris were also arrested on similar charges, while Connie Weeden faces accusations of providing financial support to fugitive Jermaine Donald through a mobile payment application. The growing list of accomplices demonstrates how escaped inmates often rely on external support networks to remain at large.
UPDATE: 2 captured, 8 remain at large following an escape from Orleans jail in overnight breach https://t.co/BYYesWprql pic.twitter.com/B900r2pm2X
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) May 17, 2025
Half of Escaped Inmates Still at Large
Despite the progress in identifying and arresting accomplices, five of the original ten escaped inmates remain fugitives. Authorities have successfully recaptured Kendell Myles, Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, and Gary Price, but Lenton Vanburen Jr., Jermaine Donald, Antoine Massey, Derrick Groves, and Leo O. Tate Sr. continue to evade capture. Law enforcement officials have emphasized that these individuals should be considered armed and dangerous, warning the public to maintain vigilance and report any sightings rather than attempting to approach the fugitives.
The circumstances surrounding the initial prison break remain under investigation, but the number of accomplices now charged suggests a coordinated effort to assist the inmates both during and after their escape. The involvement of family members like Lenton Vanburen Sr. indicates that personal connections played a significant role in helping the fugitives avoid recapture. Law enforcement agencies continue to pursue leads and gather intelligence in their efforts to locate and apprehend the remaining escapees.
The escape has raised serious questions about security protocols at the New Orleans jail facility. As authorities work to recapture the remaining fugitives, they are also likely reviewing internal procedures to identify vulnerabilities that allowed for such a significant security breach. The involvement of multiple accomplices suggests that the escapees had established communication channels with individuals outside the facility, potentially highlighting inadequate monitoring of inmate communications or visitors.
Growing Network of Accomplices Exposed
The expanding list of arrests related to this jailbreak demonstrates the challenges law enforcement faces when dealing with escaped inmates who have support networks. Each new arrest provides investigators with additional information about how the fugitives have managed to remain hidden. The charges against these twelve individuals send a clear message that aiding escaped prisoners carries serious legal consequences, regardless of family ties or personal relationships.
As the manhunt continues for the five remaining fugitives, authorities are likely to identify and target additional accomplices who may be providing shelter, transportation, or other forms of assistance. The involvement of multiple family members suggests that investigators are closely monitoring the communications and activities of relatives and known associates of the escaped inmates. The case serves as a stark reminder of the resources required to track and recapture escaped prisoners, particularly when they receive substantial outside help.
