As additional details have been determined in the investigation into an inmate escaping the Tangipahoa Parish courthouse Monday (June 15, 2026), Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker has terminated one deputy and suspended two senior-level employees.
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At this time, the investigation has revealed that following Donnie Stevenson’s appearance in court, he was grouped with six other inmates to be escorted out of the courthouse by one deputy. When the group exited the back door to load up into the transport van, Stevenson remained by the back door. The transport deputy escorting the group did not conduct an appropriate headcount when loading the van and proceeded to drive out of the loading dock area without Stevenson. It was determined that Stevenson waited at the back door until the van was gone and then climbed over the loading dock gate.
In addition, it was determined that last week jail staff and leadership raised awareness about Stevenson’s upcoming hearing and requested specialized transport for him to two levels of upper-chain-of-command personnel. The request was not followed through by either of those administrators.
The jail transport deputy placed on administrative leave following Monday’s incident has subsequently been fired and, for now, the two senior-level supervisors have been suspended for the remainder of this week.
A revision to courthouse staffing assignments is currently underway, a new protocol for high-risk inmates is already in effect, new restraints for high-risk inmates are being acquired and the Tangipahoa Parish government is actively making alterations to the loading dock gate.
This investigation continues with the possibility of additional employee disciplinary actions and/or terminations.
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