News Summary
Derrick Groves, the final fugitive from the notorious mass jailbreak in New Orleans, has been apprehended in Atlanta after evading capture for nearly five months. His arrest came after law enforcement found him hiding in a crawl space. Groves was part of a group that escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center earlier this year. His violent criminal history has raised concerns about prison security and inmate supervision. As discussions surrounding prison management intensify, Groves’ capture aims to restore public safety.
Atlanta – Derrick Groves, the last fugitive from a mass jailbreak in New Orleans, has been captured after nearly five months on the run. His arrest took place on October 10, 2025, following a brief standoff at a residence on Honeysuckle Lane in Atlanta, where law enforcement officials found him hiding in a crawl space. Groves was one of ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center on May 16, 2025, a breakout that has raised alarm over prison security and inmate supervision.
The escape involved the inmates forcibly opening a faulty cell door and crawling through a hole they discovered behind a toilet. Following the incident, a multi-agency manhunt ensued, involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI. Authorities had offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Groves’ capture due to his dangerous criminal background, which has been a point of significant concern. While nine other escapees were recaptured within weeks, most still within Louisiana, Groves managed to evade law enforcement for months.
Groves, who was awaiting sentencing for a conviction of second-degree murder for a deadly shooting during Mardi Gras that left two people dead and injured several others, poses a serious risk to public safety. At the time of his escape, he faced the possibility of a life sentence as a result of his criminal charges. Additionally, Groves has a history of violence and has been implicated in multiple killings linked to drug-related disputes. His violent past and the circumstances surrounding his escape have heightened public concern regarding the justice system’s effectiveness and prison safety protocols.
The capture of Groves concluded a nationwide search and was aided by numerous tips received through Crime Stoppers Greater New Orleans, which reported receiving several hundred tips about his whereabouts. The arrest follows significant scrutiny over the security flaws at the Orleans Parish Justice Center, which were noted by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. These flaws included inadequate staffing and insufficient infrastructure to prevent escape attempts. The fallout from the jailbreak saw at least 16 individuals arrested for allegedly providing support to the escapees.
A jail employee was also arrested for allegedly aiding the escape, highlighting the broader issues facing the correctional facility. Following Groves’ capture, a spokesperson for the New Orleans District Attorney’s office emphasized that the arrest restores public safety and tranquillity to the community, suggesting that the risks posed by Groves had been mitigated. The combination of the escape, for which Groves was a significant figure, and his eventual recapture reflects ongoing challenges in managing dangerous criminal populations within correctional facilities.
As the circumstances surrounding Groves’ escape and subsequent capture are analyzed, there will be further discussions on prison management and inmate security protocols to prevent future incidents. Groves’ prolonged evasion and the critical nature of the jailbreak raise vital questions about how the justice system ensures the security of inmates and the surrounding community.
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Additional Resources
- ABC 7 News
- NOLA
- CBS News
- Newsweek
- CNN
- Wikipedia: Prison escapes in the United States
- Google Search: New Orleans jail escape
- Google Scholar: Louisiana prison security
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Prison
- Google News: New Orleans jailbreak
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.
