News Summary
Antoine Massey, a fugitive for six weeks, was recaptured by authorities in New Orleans after a citizen’s tip led law enforcement to his location. Massey surrendered peacefully at a residence, and investigations into potential accomplices are underway. The Louisiana State Police are also searching for another escapee, Derrick Groves, with a $50,000 reward for information on his whereabouts. Security measures in the Orleans Justice Center are being enhanced following the inmates’ escape earlier this year, which has raised concerns about jail management.
New Orleans – Antoine Massey, aged 33, has been recaptured after six weeks as a fugitive. His capture was confirmed by authorities on a Friday evening at a residence in New Orleans, following a citizen’s tip that directed law enforcement to the location in the city’s Third District. Massey surrendered peacefully to authorities when they surrounded the house.
The Louisiana State Police are now investigating potential accomplices who may have aided Massey during his time on the run. Initial reports suggested that the property where Massey was found might be an Airbnb; however, this has not been officially confirmed by law enforcement or the Airbnb company.
Earlier this month, a video surfaced showing Massey pleading for help from rappers and President Donald Trump while he was evading capture. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson expressed gratitude to the community and law enforcement for their efforts in recapturing Massey. With his recapture, additional charges against Massey may be anticipated.
Massey was one of ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. Derrick Groves, another escapee, remains at large, and authorities are encouraging him to turn himself in peacefully. In light of the escape, the reward for information leading to the arrest of both Massey and Groves has been raised to $50,000 per inmate.
Groves has a serious criminal history that includes convictions for two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of manslaughter, carrying potential life sentences without the possibility of parole. Authorities have arrested Darriana Burton, Groves’ girlfriend, for allegedly aiding in his escape.
The method of the jailbreak involved the inmates climbing through a hole behind a toilet and escaping via maintenance plumbing. Within the first 24 hours after the escape, three inmates were apprehended, while others were captured in the days that followed. To date, over a dozen people have been arrested on suspicion of aiding the escapees, which includes a jail maintenance worker.
The escape has raised significant concerns about the leadership and infrastructure of the jail. In response, ongoing security enhancements are being implemented, including the installation of new razor wire and the upgrading of locking mechanisms. Notably, all nine recaptured inmates have entered not guilty pleas to charges related to their escape. The sentencing for the escape charge is between two to five years, to be served consecutively with existing sentences.
As the search continues for Groves, the $50,000 reward remains active for information regarding his whereabouts. The community and law enforcement’s robust partnership has played a crucial role in these recent developments.
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Additional Resources
- Barstool Sports
- Corrections1
- WWLTV
- FOX 8 Live
- Dallas Express
- Wikipedia: Derrick Groves
- Google Search: Derrick Groves
- Google Scholar: New Orleans jail escape
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans jail
- Google News: New Orleans jail escape
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
