News Summary
In New Orleans, Darriana Burton, the girlfriend of inmate Derrick Groves, has been arrested for allegedly aiding his escape from the Orleans Justice Center. Facing felony charges of conspiracy to commit simple escape, Burton’s involvement was revealed through communication records prior to Groves’ jailbreak. The manhunt continues for Groves and another escapee, with the reward for their capture increased to $50,000 each. Authorities are investigating potential accomplices and examining security vulnerabilities at the jail following the incident.
New Orleans – A significant development in the ongoing manhunt following the escape of a group of inmates from the Orleans Justice Center has emerged with the arrest of 28-year-old Darriana Burton. Burton, who is identified as the girlfriend of inmate Derrick Groves, is facing serious felony charges for allegedly aiding in his escape.
Burton was taken into custody on June 9 after authorities issued a warrant for her arrest on May 27. She is charged with conspiracy to commit simple escape, a felony that reflects her alleged involvement prior to Groves’ jailbreak. Burton was previously employed by the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office until her termination in March 2023, following her arrest for bringing contraband into the jail.
The investigation leading to Burton’s arrest uncovered evidence that she had been in contact with Groves through the SmartCom messaging system, which allows inmates to send text messages and make video calls. According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Burton and Groves communicated on various occasions, including a call on May 14 during which they discussed their plans discretely, knowing that they were being recorded.
On May 16, Groves was part of a group of ten inmates who escaped from jail after forcibly opening a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole in the wall, and scaling a barbed wire fence. He is currently on the run alongside fellow escapee Antoine Massey, who has previous experience in evading custody. Authorities have since captured eight out of the original ten escapees, while the search continues for Groves and Massey.
In response to the escape, law enforcement has arrested over a dozen individuals alleged to have assisted the escapees, including a maintenance worker at the jail. The reward for information leading to the capture of Groves and Massey has now been increased to $50,000 each, underlining the urgency with which authorities are pursuing the remaining escapees.
The Attorney General of Louisiana has indicated a strong commitment to investigate any potential accomplices in the escape operation, vowing that Groves and Massey will not evade capture for long. Notably, Groves, 27, had been convicted for murdering two people in October 2022, while Massey, 32, faces multiple serious charges, including kidnapping, rape, and motor vehicle theft. In a plea for his surrender, Massey’s grandfather has publicly urged him to return to authorities.
As the investigation into the escape continues, law enforcement agencies are collaborating to enhance security protocols at the jail, where the escape went unnoticed for several hours. This incident has raised critical questions regarding the vulnerabilities in the jail’s security measures and the procedures in place for inmate management.
While Burton has not yet enlisted a defense attorney, the legal process is set to unfold as she confronts the charges against her. Authorities remain vigilant in their ongoing efforts to locate Groves and Massey, emphasizing that all parties involved in aiding their escape will be pursued with utmost diligence.
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Fire Incident in Downtown New Orleans High-Rise
Additional Resources
- CNN
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- WDSU
- Google Search: New Orleans inmate escape
- NBC News
- Google Scholar: New Orleans inmate escape
- AP News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
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.
