NEW ORLEANS JAILBREAK HAS TIES TO MAGNOLIA

by Terry Jackson, GAZETTE City Editor - tdjackson56@att.net

On May 15th, the city of Magnolia officially opened its new Public Safety Complex, located at 1130 N Clark Avenue in central Magnolia. The new complex, which houses the city fire station on its left side, the city court offices in the middle, and the city police station on the right, is a lovely renovated site which is centrally located in the city’s boundaries. The site, which formerly housed Magnolia’s public health offices which were closed, is well located to serve the urgent needs of Magnolia’s citizens. The structure was donated to the city by the county, which owned the building. The city received state financial help in restoring the structure as a suitable complex. Behind the structure is a large building which houses one of the city’s fire trucks. Two other fire trucks remain at the previous Bud Flowers fire station, which is located on East Laurel Street. Fire Chief James Hughes even installed many of the cabinets in the new lovely building. The city court continues to operate out of the old city hall on South Cherry Street, but its offices are located in the new complex. The Community Center on South Cherry Street, the previous location of the police station, remains a community center and voting site for Magnolia’s citizens. It will also serve as a satellite police station. The complex is one of the important legacies of Mayor Tammy Witherspoon, who is stepping down in coming weeks as mayor. Mayor Witherspoon originally obtained funding for the project while a State Senator and later as Mayor saw the project through to completion. MAGNOLIA OFFICIALLY OPENS PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX by L. Lampton, GAZETTE Editor/Publisher THE CITY OF MAGNOLIA’S NEW PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX--- The city of Magnolia recently opened its new Public Safety Complex, pictured here, located at 1130 N Clark Street (Highway 51). (GAZETTE photo by L. Lampton) CITY LEADERS CELEBRATE OPENING OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX--- The city of Magnolia recently celebrated the opening of its Public Safety Complex on Highway 51. Seen at the open house left to right are Magnolia’s police chief, Sonya Woodall, Magnolia Mayor Tammy Witherspoon, and Magnolia’s fire chief James Hughes. (Photo special to the GAZETTE)

The recent daring escape of ten inmates from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans revealed a web of connections stretching across state borders. Authorities have uncovered evidence suggesting that at least one of the individuals involved in the escape had connections to the Magnolia area, leading to a collaborative investigation between local and state officials. This development has sparked heightened security measures in nearby regions as law enforcement agencies strive to track down the fugitives and understand the broader network aiding their flight. Patricia Vanburen, 18, and Tyshanea Randolph, 27, are the latest people booked on being an accessory after the fact for their alleged roles in assisting the escaped inmates. Magistrate Commissioner Jonathan Friedman set bonds for both women at $1 million on Sunday.

According to court records, the women brought one escapee still on the run, Lenton Vanburen, to a relative’s house in Magnolia, MS, located in the 7500 block of Hamp Lea Road.

State police investigators say that around 9:30 p.m. the night before the escape, VanBuren spoke with his sisters on the jailhouse phone. He allegedly told one of his sisters to be outside the jail by 11:30 p.m. He also told them to be in touch with his unidentified girlfriend, who could get him a “clean phone.”

On Friday (May 23), investigators spoke with one of Vanburen’s sisters, who told them that after the escape, they got a video call from a woman who knows convicted killer Derrick Groves. During the call, Vanburen’s sisters saw their brother inside of the woman’s vehicle, according to court records. Vanburen’s sisters then went to Angel McKey’s home in the 16400 block of Peltier Drive in New Orleans East, where Grove’s associate reportedly dropped off Vanburen. On Friday, investigators spoke with McKey. She reportedly told police that Vanburen came to her home on the day of the escape. She said she let him stay for several days, providing him with toiletries and clothes, according to court records.

After several other witness interviews, investigators learned that Lenton Vanburen, Sr., also lives at McKey’s home and allowed Vanburen to use his cell phone, shower, clothing and toiletries. McKey wouldn’t tell investigators any information about when or how Vanburen left her home.

The number of people arrested for allegedly helping escapees from the Orleans Justice Center has climbed to fourteen, as law enforcement agencies continue their wide-reaching search for five fugitives still on the run.

Authorities on Monday captured three escapees: Lenton Vanburen Jr., Leo Tate, and Jermaine Donald. Now with eight escapees recaptured, the manhunt continues for the two remaining inmates - Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves -- both of whom should be considered armed and dangerous, authorities say.

In Natchez, MS, Police Chief Cal Green said a reported sighting of Massey was called in around 8:30 a.m., according to CNN affiliate WDSU. Natchez is about 135 miles north of New Orleans.

Officials are offering a $20,000 reward for each inmate still missing.

Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or 1-877903-STOP. The FBI can be reached at 1-800-CALL-FBI or at fbi.gov/neworleansfugitives.

The Magnolia Police Chief has not responded to requests for comment as of the writing of this article.

*The article information was collected from various published news articles on the internet including www.fox8live.com and www.msn.com.*