Nine arrests made involving allegations of aiding Orleans Parish escaped inmates, legal analyst weighs in

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — In Orleans Parish, it’s been nine days since 10 inmates were able to escape, and nine people have been arrested in connection.

Five inmates remain at large after 10 escaped the Orleans Parish jail on Friday, May 16.

“We’re not going to stop looking. We want them to know that,” said U.S. Marshal Deputy Brian Fair.

As law enforcement continues to work every possible lead, nine people have been charged with aiding the inmates after their escape.

“It’s a felony, a five-year felony,” said WGNO legal analyst Cliff Cardone.

Cardone explains that accessory after the fact to simple escape carries a starting sentence of five years. However, depending on the evidence and the defense, the sentence could be more severe.

“Information as to the backgrounds of individuals that escaped, the backgrounds of the individuals that may have aided and abetted, all of those factors will play into whether or not an individual is going to be sentenced to the maximum that the law allows,” said Cardone.

Fair is not ruling out additional arrests and issued a clear warning to anyone assisting the escapees.

“If anyone’s trying to help them, they could face charges, and those charges are going to be serious. There will be felony charges. They appear to be looking at five years in prison, or more if there’s other stuff that could be proven,” said Fair.

Cardone explains any good lawyer representing those arrested as accomplices will be looking for legal loopholes to help their clients.

“You have to determine first whether there are enough facts that would support a conviction. If there aren’t enough facts to support his conviction, then you don’t want to give any state’s evidence,” said Cardone.

He said he is not ruling out the possibility that alleged accomplices may cooperate with the government.

“To see if there is an opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction if my client turned state’s evidence. The D.A. Or the attorney general will recommend to the judge a lighter sentence because that particular individual cooperated,” said Cardone.

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