Authorities in Louisiana are hunting for two fugitives accused of violent crimes after a brazen escape from a parish jail, with a third inmate taking his own life after being tracked down.
Details of the Daring Escape
The breakout occurred on Wednesday morning at the St Landry parish jail in Opelousas, Louisiana. According to Sheriff Bobby J Guidroz, three inmates exploited a weakness in the facility's structure. They reportedly found a deteriorating section of an interior wall and, over a period of time, removed mortar and concrete blocks to create an opening.
Once through the inner wall, the escapees used sheets and other items to scale the outer wall, dropping onto a first-floor roof before lowering themselves to the ground. Sheriff Guidroz stated that an internal investigation into the breach has been launched.
The Fugitives and a Fatal Outcome
The two inmates still at large have been identified as Keith Eli, 24, and Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, both from Opelousas. Eli was being held on a charge of second-degree attempted murder, while Joseph faced multiple charges, including principal to first-degree rape.
The third escapee, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, of Melville, was located on Thursday after a tipster reported seeing him with a black e-bike. Police Chief Deon Boudreaux of Port Barre said officers surrounded a house where Harrington was found. After authorities used a loudspeaker to call for his surrender, a gunshot was heard from inside. Harrington was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound from a hunting rifle.
Police Warning and Previous Incidents
Maj Mark LeBlanc, a spokesperson for the St Landry sheriff’s department, indicated there is no credible evidence the remaining fugitives have left the parish. He warned local residents to secure their homes and vehicles, stating, "They’re charged with violent felonies and we know they’re desperate to get away."
LeBlanc also issued a stern warning that anyone who assists the fugitives will face prosecution. He noted that while this particular method of escape was new to the jail, the desire to break free is constant given enough time and opportunity.
This incident follows another major jailbreak in Louisiana earlier this year. In May, 10 inmates escaped from a New Orleans jail through a hole behind a toilet. All were eventually recaptured after a five-month, multi-state manhunt.
