NEW ORLEANS — Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the escape of ten inmates from the Orleans Parish jail last Friday, according to the Louisiana State Police. Cortnie Harris, 32, and Corvanntay Baptiste, 38, face felony charges as accessories after the fact, following their alleged involvement in aiding the escapees.

Authorities announced the arrests on Wednesday, revealing that Harris is accused of communicating with an inmate prior to the escape and allegedly transporting two of the escapees to various locations in New Orleans. These inmates remain at large. Baptiste, on the other hand, reportedly provided food to Corey Boyd, one of the escapees who was captured on Tuesday night. Boyd, 19, was found hiding in a residence after his escape.

Both Harris and Baptiste are currently being held at the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $500. Their arrests follow the earlier apprehension of Sterling Williams, a jail maintenance worker, who is accused of facilitating the escape by disabling the water supply to a cell, allowing inmates to pull a toilet from the wall and escape through a hole behind it.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill stated that Williams' actions were crucial to the escape plan, which involved inmates using an unknown tool to saw through steel bars. Surveillance footage captured the group leaving the facility through a loading dock after scaling a jail wall. Williams' attorney, Michael Kennedy, contends that his client was merely responding to a clogged toilet issue and did not intend to assist the inmates.

As of now, five of the ten escapees have been recaptured, while five remain on the run. The search for the remaining fugitives has intensified, with over 200 law enforcement personnel involved in the effort. The FBI has announced a reward of $10,000 for information leading to the capture of each fugitive, while the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Crime Stoppers are also offering additional rewards.

The situation continues to develop, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they work to ensure public safety and apprehend the remaining escapees.