News Summary
Derrick Groves, a 28-year-old murderer, was apprehended in Atlanta following a five-month manhunt after escaping from a Louisiana jail with nine other inmates. After breaching a toilet wall and scaling a barbed-wire fence, Groves was found hiding under a home. The escape raised serious concerns about security in correctional facilities, leading to multiple arrests of individuals allegedly aiding in the breakout. Authorities affirm Groves will face prosecution for the jailbreak as well as his original murder conviction.
Atlanta – Derrick Groves, a 28-year-old convicted murderer, was apprehended by U.S. Marshals and local police in Atlanta after a five-month manhunt. He was the last of ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans on May 16, 2025, in one of the largest jailbreaks in Louisiana history. Groves was found hiding in a crawl space beneath a home on Honeysuckle Lane in southwest Atlanta.
The elaborate escape involved breaching a wall behind a toilet, scaling a barbed-wire fence, and vanishing without a trace. Authorities utilized gas canisters multiple times and brought a K9 unit to assist in locating him at the residence where he was captured. The operation involved an extensive collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies across several states.
Groves, who was serving a life sentence for a shooting at a Mardi Gras block party that resulted in two fatalities, was detained without incident. He is currently held at the Fulton County Jail as a fugitive from justice. Additionally, Groves faces new charges related to the jailbreak, as well as potentially other offences connected to his capture in Georgia.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office indicated that a maintenance worker allegedly aided in the jailbreak by turning off water to the toilet, which facilitated the escape. Furthermore, Groves’ girlfriend, Darriana Burton, a former jail employee, has been arrested for allegedly helping him in his escape. Since the breakout, at least 16 individuals have been charged with aiding the escapees by providing food, cash, transportation, or shelter.
In the aftermath of the jailbreak, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill affirmed that Groves would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for both his prior crimes and the additional charges related to the jailbreak. The prolonged manhunt indicates that Groves planned to remain hidden for an extended period, as evidenced by the extensive resources utilized to locate him.
Upon his capture, video footage released by police showed Groves shirtless, shoeless, and shackled, blowing a kiss at the camera while being escorted to a patrol car. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised law enforcement for successfully recapturing all escapees, stressing the importance of public safety in the face of such incidents. Groves remains in custody pending extradition back to Louisiana to face the additional charges related to his escape.
The mass escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center not only highlighted the challenges within the state’s correctional facilities but also led to a significant investigation into how such an event could occur. The authorities are working diligently to ensure justice is served both for Groves’ prior convictions and his recent criminal actions during the escape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Inmate Captured After Mistaken Release Sparks Outcry
New Orleans: Mistaken Release of Fugitive Khalil Bryan Sparks Concerns
Nine Inmates Plead Not Guilty Following Massive Jailbreak
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Manhunt Intensifies for Orleans Parish Jail Escapee
Additional Resources
- Fox8 Live
- Wikipedia: Derrick Groves
- WDSU
- Google Search: Derrick Groves escape
- AP News
- Google Scholar: Derrick Groves
- USA Today
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Derrick Groves
- NOLA
- Google News: Derrick Groves
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.
