NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A third inmate who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center early Friday (May 16) has been taken back into custody, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Dkenan Dennis was taken back into custody Friday evening. Officials confirm he was located on Dale Street. He was facing charges of armed robbery and illegal possession of weapons at the time of the escape.

Robert Moody, who was initially booked on obstruction of justice, drug dealing and battery charges, was the second inmate recaptured Friday evening. The OPSO announced his arrest around 7:30 p.m., but did not disclose further details.

Kendell Myles, the first escapee caught, was found earlier in the day hiding under a car near the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter. Myles had previously escaped from the Bridge City Youth Center and was in custody on weapons charges.

Robert Moody was captured in the 3500 block of second Street at 7:32 pm with the help of information from a Crimestoppers Tip.(OPSO)

Sheriff Susan Hutson said there is evidence the escape was assisted from within the jail. Three employees have been suspended as part of the internal investigation.

Hutson explained that the only officer assigned to the escapees’ housing unit had stepped away for food. During that time, the inmates opened a cell door, removed a toilet from the wall, accessed the recreation yard, climbed a fence, and crossed the interstate.

10 inmates escaped from a hole in the wall of a cell at Orleans Parish jail on Friday, May 16.(OPSO)

Authorities say it took nearly eight hours to discover the escape. Inmates began forcing the door at about 12:20 a.m. and crossed the highway by 1 a.m. Deputies realized the escape had occurred at 8:30 a.m. during a morning headcount. The Sheriff was notified about 30 minutes later.

Public notification came hours after that.

Kendell Myles, the first inmate recaptured, was found under a car in front of the Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter. He had previously escaped from the Bridge City Youth Center and was being held on weapons charges.

According to state police, one of the tips leading to an apprehension came from Crimestoppers. Authorities also said they now have strong investigative leads on all seven inmates still at large.

Law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels have been conducting searches throughout the city for the remaining escapees:

• Derrick Groves, convicted of killing two people and shooting two others on Mardi Gras Day in 2018.
• Antoine Massy, held on domestic abuse and vehicle theft charges, with prior escapes dating back to 2007. Also wanted in St. Tammany Parish for kidnapping and rape.
• Lenton Vanburen, accused of a 2021 homicide in New Orleans East.
• Jermaine Donald, charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, weapons violations, and obstruction of justice.
• Gary Price, wanted in connection with an attempted first-degree murder case.
• Leo Tate, awaiting trial on burglary, drug, and weapons charges.
• Corey Boyd, accused of killing Brandon Fees during a car burglary in 2024.

Former Sheriff Marlin Gusman called the escape “inexcusable.”

“You have to keep these security systems up to date, and you have to man them properly,” Gusman said. “But these toilets are bolted from the back. The pipe chase is secure as well. So it looks like it’s just a lack of accountability, responsibility and transparency. The blame game, that’s what it sounds like to me.”

Authorities continue to ask for help from the public in locating the seven escapees who remain at large.

You can contact Crime Stoppers at (504) 822-1111 or submit tips at fbi.gov/neworleansfugitives.

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