Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — Another person has been arrested in the case of a murder suspect who escaped police custody in Jefferson Parish.
Deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Richard Robinson after allegedly helping 51-year-old Leon Ruffin escape custody in February.
On Feb. 25, deputies began searching for an inmate, Ruffin, who escaped from a police unit after allegedly pepper-spraying a deputy.
He was a convicted felon who was in custody on a second-degree murder charge, according to the JPSO.
Deputies said on Feb. 25, Ruffin faked an injury and was in the facility’s medical center. That same day, they said Ruffin was taken to Ochsner Medical Center on the Westbank for treatment of a seizure.
At 6:40 p.m., Ruffin was discharged and en route back to the facility when he allegedly caused a disturbance, pepper sprayed the deputy and drove off in the police unit, according to deputies.
On Feb. 27, Ruffin was found at a New Orleans East hotel and arrested.
In addition to his arrest, his wife, Shelita Ruffin was also taken into custody on charges of conspiracy to commit aggravated escape and conspiracy to introduce contraband in correctional center.
Robinson was arrested and faces charges of accessory to aggravated escape and as a felon in possession of a firearm. Deputies said he is being held at the correctional center on a $125,000 bond.
