Man Escapes Louisiana Jail for Second Time Amid Ongoing New Orleans Inmate Manhunt
Tra'Von Johnson escapes Tangipahoa Parish Jail amid overshadowed scrutiny over recent New Orleans jailbreak.
Law enforcement agencies in Louisiana are contending with a series of high-profile prison escapes and manhunts, following the breakout of five inmates from Orleans Parish Correctional Facility and a separate escape incident involving a repeat offender in the neighboring Tangipahoa Parish.
On Thursday afternoon, Tra'Von Johnson, age 19, escaped from the Tangipahoa Parish jail for a second time. According to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office (TPSO), Johnson was assisted by another inmate, who helped him scale the perimeter fence. Johnson is awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a deadly 2022 home invasion and had previously escaped from the same facility in May of last year. Authorities recaptured him on Friday only a few miles from the jail.
The incident coincided with an ongoing manhunt for five inmates who remain at large following a mass escape from the Orleans Parish Correctional Facility on May 16. That escape drew significant attention due to the nature of the charges against the fugitives, which include multiple counts of murder. The escape occurred after ten inmates reportedly dismantled a toilet from their cell, created a hole in the wall, and traversed an unoccupied corridor before scaling a fence.
In both escape cases, there were several hours of delay before jail authorities became aware of the incidents. In Tangipahoa Parish, the sheriff's office only learned of Johnson’s absence after receiving a tip from a member of the public questioning his custody status. Similarly, officials at the Orleans Parish facility did not discover the break until well after the inmates had fled, sparking public concern over security lapses and oversight.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson faced criticism this week from New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams for what he described as inadequate crime scene management at the correctional facility following the escape. Williams stressed the importance of timely forensic evidence collection, citing concerns that a delay may have undermined the investigation into how the prisoners managed to flee.
Authorities have also made a series of arrests tied to the Orleans Parish escape. Thirteen people have been detained for allegedly aiding the escapees, both from within and outside the jail. Among those arrested is Sterling Williams, a jail maintenance employee accused of facilitating the escape, and Trevon Williams, an inmate who allegedly helped provide the necessary materials for climbing the fence.
Several individuals with ties to the escapees, including family members and romantic partners, have also been charged with providing support or transportation after the jailbreak. Notably, Lenika Vanburen and Tyshanea "Minnie" Randolph were arrested over the weekend, along with three other relatives, for their alleged involvement in assisting escapee Lenton Vanburen.
Recent law enforcement actions have led to the recapture of three of the original escapees. Lenton Vanburen was apprehended in Baton Rouge and now faces additional charges, while Leo Tate and Jermaine Donald were caught in Texas after leading police on a high-speed chase. Louisiana State Police also arrested Connie Weeden for allegedly sending money to fugitive Jermaine Donald via a cellphone app.
Despite these breakthroughs, several inmates remain at large, intensifying the regional manhunt. As authorities widen their search, state officials and the governor are expressing mounting frustration amid growing demands for accountability and improved security protocols at correctional facilities across Louisiana.
The situation remains fluid, with local, state, and federal agencies continuing their efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitives and to address systemic challenges revealed by the recent escape incidents.
