Escaped Louisiana Inmate Tra’Von Johnson Recaptured After Jail Break

Tangipahoa Parish Jail confirmed 22-year-old inmate Tra’Von Johnson, who escaped from Tangipahoa Parish Jail on Thursday afternoon, has been recaptured. Johnson was caught on Bennett Road in Amite City, just blocks away from the jail, on a tip from the community and cooperative efforts by the Louisiana State Police.

This was Johnson’s second escape attempt. Officials noted that this was his second break from the same prison – his first having been exactly one year prior to this one. After his recent escape, Johnson was quickly apprehended and held without incident, then flown in a Louisiana State Police helicopter to Angola, Louisiana, where he will remain behind bars until prosecuted.

Johnson was initially detained for trial on a 2022 burglary in the Hammond neighborhood. The raid with violence murdered one man and harmed his child, and has since been charged with a simple escape in addition to his original charges.

The Escape: A Chain of Failures

The order of the escape shows appalling failures in jail protocol and prison management. Thursday afternoon around 4:15 p.m., a part of the restroom in one of Johnson’s dorms flooded inside of one of the shower stalls. While deputies were cleaning, they held open several exterior doors to push water out of the building. It was during that short time period that an interior door had been inadvertently left open for less than a minute-long duration – long enough only for Johnson and one other prisoner, Trevon Wallace, to dash through it. Released surveillance footage by the sheriff’s department filmed the escape underway.

The two prisoners are visible in the video fleeing the jailyard. Wallace escorted Johnson around a perimeter fence, then backed into the jail building himself. He was promptly cut off and re-apprehended by deputies. But, significantly, the officers failed to report either the brief opening of the doors or the brief escape of Wallace to their superiors, and a correct headcount wasn’t taken afterward more dawdling in learning that Johnson had escaped. It wasn’t until nearly 10 p.m. that a public tip finally made the breakout a matter of public concern. One caller, worried about Johnson’s whereabouts, called to inquire if Johnson was still in jail. An anonymous caller touched off a lockdown of the jail and a roll call of the prisoners immediately, confirming that Johnson had escaped. A search operation was begun that continued through the night and ended the following evening when he was apprehended.

An “Opportunistic Escape” and Mounting Investigation

Sheriff Gerald Sticker showed decisively at a news conference that Johnson’s escape did not seem to be a coordinated operation but a spur-of-the-moment response to an accident of malfunctioning in prison procedure. However, the officials are launching an internal investigation to determine if any part of the incident i.e., the clogged shower or the anonymous tip entailed coordination and intended assistance from within or outside the facility.

While this is happening, Wallace, the escapee prisoner for a short while and the one who helped Johnson escape, is also charged with simple escape and as a principal to assist in an escape.

Administrative Fallout and Staffing Challenges

The incident prompted an inquiry into Tangipahoa Parish Jail’s operations and security. Four staff members who are part of the operation of Johnson’s facility have been placed on administrative leave because of security failure. Sheriff Sticker explained the jail’s long-standing issues by stating that it is “a work in progress” and emphasizing the under-staffed condition that inhibits its efficiency.

In a candid admission, the sheriff’s office stated that the jail has but a single staff at any time who is tasked with watching over some 60 security cameras in addition to controlling door access through the facility. The dearth of staff presents gargantuan risks and jeopardizes the facility to maintain safety and avoid accidents such as escape.

Community’s Role and Law Enforcement Response

The sheriff’s office attributed the public as watchful and cooperative in Johnson’s capture. “Please thank, first and foremost, the community for standing with us in this endeavor,” read an official statement. Had it not been for the timely tip from the public, there is little doubt how much longer Johnson would have remained at large.

The Louisiana State Police played an active role in Johnson’s recapture by arresting him and taking him away from the scene. Their quick response and cooperation with the sheriff’s office ensured a successful operation.

With Johnson in prison and a new series of charges filed against him, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is now considering erasing the systemic vulnerabilities that permitted the escape. Sheriff Sticker once again emphasized the necessity to erase entrenched personnel and facility flaws at the jail.

The event further reopened the public debate regarding jail security, the training of the personnel, and how the inmates are treated, especially in those that have experienced alleged shortfalls. The sheriff’s office will carefully examine all its policies regarding procedure during emergencies, door security, and observer tactics in the coming weeks.

While Johnson’s flight was brief, the disturbance exposed flaws within a crowded jail. As the sheriff’s office continued its internal investigation and the public demanded more details, the case stands as a sad reminder of what occurs when security measures break down and proper supervision is lacking.

PIC COURTESY: CBS NEWS