New Orleans, La.- The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office is looking for 40-year-old Mitchell Manning who escaped the prison overnight Friday.
"While conducting a security patrol
of the perimeter of the Temporary Housing Center or 'tents' at approximately
11:53 p.m. Friday evening, an Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office deputy identified
damage to one of the tents housing inmates," explains Sheriff Marlin Gusman, "The deputy reported this incident
and determined that inmate Mitchell Manning had escaped."
Sheriff Gusman also says the Special Operations
Division of the OPSO has initiated an search for Manning.
Manning was booked into custody on January 11 on charges of
domestic abuse battery, home invasion, simple criminal damage to property,
possession of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.
Prior to his arrest, Manning was free on a bond of $45,000 and awaiting
trial on a charge of distribution of cocaine.
Sheriff Gusman says each tent was staffed properly at
the time of this incident and the deputy was conducting one of a number of nightly
patrols around the exterior of the tent area when the inmate was discovered missing.
The Sheriff's Office, New Orleans Police Department and other law enforcement agencies are
assisting in this search.
Anyone with information on Manning's whereabouts is urged to call the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office at 504-827-8505 or CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111.
Mitchell Manning, 40 (OPSO)
