Bold Jailbreak in Louisiana Leaves Two Fugitives at Large

Two inmates facing serious violent crime charges, including second-degree attempted murder, remain at large following a daring escape from the St. Landry Parish Jail in Opelousas, Louisiana, on Wednesday. The prisoners reportedly removed sections of a deteriorating interior wall and used sheets to scale an exterior wall, successfully lowering themselves to the ground.

A third participant in the escape, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, of Melville, who faced multiple felony charges including home invasion, was found by authorities and died by suicide after being recognized by a tipster. Police tracked Harrington after a tip indicated he was seen pushing a black e-bike. Officers located him at a nearby home, where a gunshot was subsequently heard; he was found deceased inside, having used a hunting rifle.

The two remaining fugitives have been identified as Keith Eli, 24, of Opelousas, charged with second-degree attempted murder, and Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, also of Opelousas, facing several charges including principal to first-degree rape. Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, overseeing the facility, confirmed that the inmates exploited a weakened section of an upper wall over time to remove concrete blocks and create their escape route. They then used makeshift materials to scale the outer wall and descend onto the jail roof before reaching the ground.

Maj. Mark LeBlanc, spokesperson for the St. Landry Sheriff’s Department, warned residents to secure homes and vehicles, emphasizing the fugitives’ dangerous nature and desperation to evade capture. Authorities also cautioned that anyone assisting the fugitives would face prosecution.

This escape follows a pattern of audacious jailbreaks in Louisiana, including a May incident in New Orleans where ten inmates temporarily escaped through a hole behind a toilet. That group was recaptured five months later after a multi-state search.

An internal investigation into the recent jailbreak is underway, with additional details expected as law enforcement continues its search for the fugitives.

Source: Theguardian