Escape Unfolds — Jail Wall Breached
In a dramatic escape early on December 3, 2025, three inmates from the St. Landry Parish Jail in Opelousas, Louisiana, managed to flee by removing mortar from a weakened section of an upper wall, dislodging concrete blocks over time. Once the hole was wide enough, the men used bed sheets and other materials to scale down the outside wall, drop onto the roof of the first floor, and lower themselves to the ground — slipping past jail security.
Authorities immediately launched a full manhunt led by SWAT teams and detectives in pursuit of the escapees.
Fate of the Escapees — One at Large, One In Custody, One Dead
- The main fugitive, 24-year-old Keith Eli, remains on the run. He had been jailed on a second-degree murder charge. Law enforcement urged the public to treat him as armed and dangerous, advising anyone who spots him to call 911 rather than approach.
- 24-year-old Johnathan Jevon Joseph was recaptured on December 5 after a brief chase; investigators located him hiding in a storage shed following a tip. He faced multiple charges including rape and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
- The third escapee, 26-year-old Joseph Allen Harrington, died by suicide on December 4. Police found him at a home and used a loudspeaker to urge him to surrender before he apparently turned a hunting rifle on himself. He had been facing several felony charges, including home invasion and burglary.
Security Failures Under Scrutiny, Investigation Underway
Law enforcement officials have launched an internal investigation into jail conditions — including structural integrity and oversight failures. According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, the inmates exploited a degrading section of the wall to facilitate their escape.
Local officials, however, have disputed claims of crumbling infrastructure, calling for evidence to substantiate the allegations.
This escape has sparked fresh concerns about jail safety standards in the state, coming after a previous bold jailbreak earlier this year at a different facility when 10 inmates escaped through a hole behind a toilet — an event that triggered its own national manhunt.
What Happens Next
Authorities continue to hunt for Keith Eli, urging public assistance. An internal review of jail conditions is underway, and discussions about facility upgrades and security reforms are expected to follow. Residents near Opelousas have been warned to remain vigilant, lock homes and vehicles, and report any suspicious activity.
