A former jail guard has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison over a toilet escape in New Orleans. Sterling Williams worked at the Orleans Justice Center in Louisiana. Ten inmates fled the facility in May 2025. Meanwhile, they left a graffiti note that read “To Easy LoL.”
Authorities said the inmates escaped just after midnight on 16 May 2025. First, they removed a toilet and crawled through a hole in the wall. Then they climbed out of the building and ran across a nearby freeway. Officials found them missing during a head count that morning.
Toilet escape at a glance
| Facility | Orleans Justice Center, New Orleans |
| Escape date | 16 May 2025 |
| Inmates who escaped | 10 |
| Jail worker | Sterling Williams |
| Sentence | 2.5 years in prison |
According to an arrest warrant, Williams shut off the water to the cell. That step let the inmates move the toilet. However, Williams told investigators that an inmate threatened to attack him unless he turned off the water. Police rejected that claim. They said he willfully and maliciously helped the escape.
Prosecutors had earlier dropped 10 escape-related charges against him. Such charges carry up to 10 years in Louisiana. In the end, the court handed Williams 2.5 years in prison.
The case also exposed serious security gaps. Officials noted faulty cell locks at the jail. Moreover, a lone guard had left to get food. In addition, reports said police learned of the escape more than nine hours after the inmates fled.
Sheriff Susan Hutson said she takes full accountability. She also described the escape as a coordinated effort aided by people inside her agency. Many of the inmates faced violent charges, including murder.
Sojworldnews will update this story if new details emerge.
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