To hear Antoine Massey tell it, his notoriety as a jail escape artist made him an ideal candidate to become a political pawn.

Massey, who authorities consider a ringleader in the brazen escape of 10 inmates from the New Orleans jail on May 16, was caught in late June after investigators cornered him in a Hollygrove short-term rental.

During his time on the lam, Massey earned a level a notoriety for social media posts in which he claimed his innocence and said he was "let out."

After his capture, Massey, 33, offered state investigators a wild tale of what he said led to his escape, according to a recording of his statements filed in court in a related case.

Local officials said Massey's claims were preposterous after he alleged that Sheriff Susan Hutson and District Attorney Jason Wil

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