Correctional officer Sterling Williams, 34, pleaded guilty to malfeasance on 15/10 for facilitating one of the largest prison breaks in recent US history.

In 5/2025, a group of inmates conspired to clog a toilet. However, upon discovering the situation, instead of reporting it and initiating a repair order, the correctional officer immediately turned off the water to the clogged toilet.

Immediately after Williams turned off the water in the cell, 10 inmates dismantled a toilet, crawled through a gap in the wall, and climbed over a fence to exit the prison. They left a graffiti message that read, "Too easy LOL".

The scene of the escape. Photo: The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office

All 10 inmates were eventually apprehended, though one murderer remained at large for 5 months, hiding under a house in Atlanta, approximately 800 km from the prison.

All face serious escape charges and are expected to appear in court in 4 next year.

Along with the correctional officer, at least 14 other individuals, many of whom were friends and relatives of the escapees, were arrested and charged with aiding the escape. This included providing food, cash, transportation, and shelter.

Lawyer: correctional officer "was exploited"

In court, the lawyer argued that his client did not intentionally help the escapees but admitted to making a mistake.

"He did not follow proper procedure in his work as a public employee, and those actions may have contributed to the escape plan of the 10 inmates. But my client was unaware that an escape would occur", the defense attorney stated, asserting that the correctional officer "was exploited".

However, the arrest affidavit did not mention a clogged toilet.

Williams was initially "evasive and untruthful" during questioning but eventually told investigators that an inmate had threatened to "stab" him if he did not turn off the water.

Regarding this issue, the lawyer argued that the inmate approached Williams and the talk of "stabbing" was merely "for fun" and not a threat.

"Everyone seemed quick to conclude that Williams acted out of fear. But no, they did not say it in a threatening tone. They said it as an offhand remark", the lawyer stated.

Initially, Williams was also indicted on 10 counts of serious escape accomplice charges, carrying a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. However, these charges were dismissed in court.

Hai Thu (According to AP, Nola)