Law enforcement agencies respond to recent jailbreaks at the New Orleans Justice Center.
Authorities in New Orleans have successfully apprehended 32-year-old fugitive Antoine Massey, a key figure in a major manhunt following a jailbreak at the New Orleans Justice Center. His arrest leaves only one other inmate, Derrick Groves, still at large. Massey’s lengthy criminal history includes serious charges such as domestic abuse and kidnapping, as officials investigate potential assistance during his time as a fugitive. The incident has raised significant concerns about jail security and operations at the facility.
Authorities in New Orleans have captured Antoine Massey, a 32-year-old fugitive, marking a significant turn in a manhunt for inmates who escaped from the New Orleans Justice Center in May. Massey was apprehended on June 27, 2025, and his capture leaves only one remaining fugitive, Derrick Groves, aged 27, still at large.
Massey was one of ten inmates who broke free during a jailbreak that occurred on May 16, 2025. The escape was discovered over seven hours later, during a routine headcount at approximately 8:30 a.m. Authorities launched a massive manhunt spanning multiple states following the jailbreak.
Prior to Massey’s arrest, eight of the escapees had already been captured. His past included jailbreaks and multiple violations related to custody, with previous instances of cutting off ankle monitors. At the time of the escape, Massey faced serious charges that included domestic abuse involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle. He also had pending charges for kidnapping and rape in St. Tammany Parish.
Massey was hiding in a home located less than two miles from the jail at the time of his arrest. He surrendered peacefully around 3:30 p.m. when police surrounded the residence. His capture came following social media activity earlier in June, where he posted a video asserting his innocence. Massey is distinguishable by face tattoos of chess pieces, a detail noted by authorities.
In addition to his existing charges, new charges are expected to be filed against Massey following his arrest. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether he received assistance during his time as a fugitive. As part of this investigation, authorities have already arrested a maintenance worker from the jail, believed to have aided the escapees.
With Massey’s capture, law enforcement’s attention now turns to Derrick Groves, the last remaining fugitive. Groves has a serious criminal background, including convictions for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder linked to a Mardi Gras shooting in 2018. New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick has publicly urged Groves to turn himself in, emphasizing that law enforcement will apprehend him.
The jailbreak prompted significant concerns regarding security and operation conditions within the New Orleans Justice Center. Sheriff Susan Hutson has highlighted the need for upgrades to the facility’s security systems, citing issues of overcrowding, underfunding, and mismanagement that may have contributed to the escape.
The escape itself involved the inmates exploiting a faulty cell door, crawling through a hole created by removing a toilet, and scaling a barbed-wire fence to flee the facility. Following the jailbreak, authorities offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the fugitives’ capture. Reports indicate that over a dozen individuals suspected of aiding the escapees have been arrested, painting a broader picture of the escape network.
This jailbreak is considered one of the more significant events in the recent history of the New Orleans Justice Center. Prior to their escape, inmates had been relatively secure, with the facility’s operations not drawing major public scrutiny. However, the events surrounding the escape and the subsequent manhunt have sparked a renewed discussion about the effectiveness of jail operations and the safety of residents in the New Orleans area.
Authorities continue their efforts to capture Groves and address the security challenges that led to the jailbreak. The focus now shifts to ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future, as well as addressing the systemic issues that contributed to this dramatic escape.
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