New Orleans Jail Custodian Sentenced to 2.5 Years for Aiding 10-Inmate Escape

A New Orleans jail custodian has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for his role in a jailbreak that allowed 10 inmates to escape. Sterling Williams, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of malfeasance in office, admitting to actions that facilitated one of the largest jailbreaks in recent U.S. history.

The escape occurred in May 2025 when Williams shut off the water to a clogged toilet in a cell. The inmates then removed the toilet, created a hole in the wall, and scaled a fence to exit the facility. After their escape, the inmates left a taunting message, "To Easy LoL."

Williams' attorney, Michael Kennedy, stated that Williams did not intentionally assist the escapees but acknowledged that his failure to follow protocol, specifically by not generating a work order before shutting off the water, may have aided their plan. "He does admit that he failed to follow protocol in a job as a public employee, and that it is possible that those actions aided in a plan hatched by 10 inmates to escape," Kennedy said. "But again, without Mr. Williams’ knowledge."

Of the 2.5-year sentence, an additional 2.5 years are suspended, and Williams will also serve three years of probation. The state dropped 10 charges of being a principal to aggravated escape, which carried a maximum sentence of 10 years.

All 10 inmates involved in the escape were eventually apprehended. One inmate, convicted of murder, remained at large for five months before being found hiding under a house in Atlanta. The inmates are currently facing charges of aggravated escape and are scheduled for a jury trial in April.

In addition to Williams, at least 14 other individuals were arrested and accused of assisting the escapees by providing resources such as food, money, transportation, and shelter.

This incident also led to a grand jury indictment earlier this year against then-Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson. She faces charges including malfeasance, obstruction of justice, and falsifying public records. While not accused of direct involvement in the escape, a state investigation concluded that Hutson's management failures contributed to the jailbreak. Bianka Brown, the chief financial officer of the sheriff’s office, was also indicted on similar charges. Both Hutson and Brown have pleaded not guilty.