Louisiana inmates on the run after escaping by breaking through degrading jail wall

OPELOUSAS, Louisiana — Two inmates accused of violent crimes, including attempted second-degree murder, are on the run after escaping from a southwest Louisiana prison Wednesday by removing pieces of a defacing wall and using sheets to scale a wall, officials said. A third inmate who participated in the escape committed suicide after being found.

It was the latest daring escape from a Louisiana prison. Earlier this year, 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans prison after crawling through a hole behind a toilet. It wasn’t until five months later — after the escape crime scene was discovered with a message saying “To Easy LoL,” finger-pointing by officials as to who was responsible for the daring escape and a search that spanned several states — that the 10 inmates were recaptured.

The Wednesday morning escape, which took place at the St. Landry Parish Prison, involved three inmates. Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, who oversees the jail in Opelousas, about 135 miles (209 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans, said “inmates discovered a degrading portion of an upper area of ​​the wall and, over time, removed the mortar allowing them to remove the concrete blocks and allow their egress.”

The detainees then used “sheets and other objects” to scale the exterior wall and “drop” onto the roof of the first floor, before “lowering themselves to the ground”, Guidroz said in a statement.

Additional details about the escape were not immediately available. Guidroz said the matter would be investigated internally.

The Sheriff’s Office identified the two escaped inmates still at large as Keith Eli, 24, of Opelousas, who was facing a charge of attempted second-degree murder, and Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, of Opelousas, who was facing several charges, including first-degree rape.

The third escapee, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, of Melville, who was facing several criminal charges, including a home invasion, committed suicide after being found, Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux said by telephone.

After an informant who recognized Harrington told police Thursday that he was seen pushing a black electric bike, an officer spotted the electric bike at a nearby home. Police used a loudspeaker to urge Harrington to come out of the house, and then heard a gunshot. Harrington was found dead inside the home. He had shot himself with a shotgun, Boudreaux said.

Sheriff’s Department spokesman Maj. Mark LeBlanc was not aware the building had been similarly breached in the past, but noted that anyone would attempt to escape given enough time and opportunity.

“These three were just a little more creative than in previous years,” he said.

There is no credible indication that the escapees have left the parish, so LeBlanc warned residents to secure their homes and vehicles.

“They are accused of violent crimes and we know they are desperate to escape,” he said.

Anyone who helps the escapees will be prosecuted, he said.