Following a multi-agency manhunt, the New Orleans Police Department reported the arrest of an individual allegedly involved in assisting the escape of inmates from the Orleans Justice Center earlier this month. Last Thursday, Casey Smith was apprehended and stands accused of facilitating the movement of two escapees directly after their exodus from confinement on May 16. NOPD's news release detailed how tactical teams linked Smith to the post-escape whereabouts of the prisoners.
Found by officers at a residence in the city's Third District, Smith, whose arrest occurred a day after Cortnie Harris's capture, upon being located at a residence, admitted to the crime. Both individuals have been charged with being accessories after the fact to simple escape. NOPD's statement clarifies that Smith and Harris transported the fugitives to various locations as escapees from NOPD's vantage.
The NOPD continues to assert that all persons involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Of the ten inmates who initially escaped, the fate of the remaining fugitives remains a pressing concern for law enforcement. This unfolding drama highlights the ongoing challenges faced by NOPD in maintaining order within the criminal justice system's confines.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities are calling for public assistance in capturing the remaining escapees. While the arrests may help piece together the events following the jailbreak, there is a palpable urgency to bring all escapees back into custody. NOPD encourages anyone with information to step forward, offering anonymity through Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans, which can be reached at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-STOP, ensuring tensions in the community as they wrestle with the concern for security and justice.
