News Summary
Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves remain elusive three weeks post-jailbreak in Louisiana, prompting intensified law enforcement efforts. Massey recently surfaced on social media claiming innocence, while Groves, a history of violence, has vanished. Authorities are increasing rewards for information as they pursue leads but face challenges in locating the fugitives.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Nearly three weeks after what has been marked as the largest jailbreak in the state’s history, two fugitives, Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves, continue to elude capture. Law enforcement officials are intensifying their search efforts as both men remain at large following their escape from custody on May 16.
Reports indicate that both fugitives may still be in Louisiana, with Massey recently posting videos on social media, purportedly filmed from a residence in the Seventh Ward. The videos show Massey claiming his innocence and appealing for help from various public figures, including celebrities and the President. In contrast, Groves, a 27-year-old with a history of violent crimes, has not been seen since the jailbreak.
The escape event allowed a total of ten inmates to flee from the facility through a hole created by dismantling a toilet and sink. Since then, eight of the escapees have been apprehended. Surveillance footage captured crucial moments of the escape, depicting Groves alongside Massey and Lenton VanBuren Jr., another escapee who has since been recaptured. Former New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Ronal Serpas posits that Groves is deliberately staying hidden, motivated by the severity of his life sentence after being convicted of murdering four individuals.
Efforts to track Groves have been hindered, as law enforcement follows numerous tips that suggest potential locations where he might be hiding. Investigators have pursued leads related to Groves in areas like Violet and near Bastrop, but these attempts have not yielded any sightings of the fugitive.
Colonel Robert Hodges of the Louisiana State Police has confirmed that local, state, and federal agencies are collaborating to locate both Massey and Groves. The authorities have increased the financial reward for information leading to the capture of each fugitive to $50,000. This increase emphasizes the seriousness of the situation and aims to encourage public cooperation in the ongoing manhunt.
As a significant twist to the ongoing investigation, a recent tip prompted a raid on a house located in the 1700 block of Agriculture Street, where authorities believed Massey was filming his social media content. Despite the operation, Massey was not present at the time of the raid, adding further complexity to the search effort.
Massey’s charges include serious allegations such as domestic abuse involving strangulation, second-degree rape, and kidnapping. Meanwhile, Groves’ violent past involves multiple convictions for murder and attempted murder, particularly linked to a Mardi Gras shooting incident in 2018. The ongoing threat these fugitives pose underlines the urgency of their capture.
The jailbreak has also sparked tension between Sheriff Susan Hutson and the New Orleans City Council regarding the financial implications of required repairs at the jail. Estimates for the urgent repairs are projected around $900,000 in the long term, further complicating the already strained resources of the local justice system.
Authorities are stressing the critical role of public participation, particularly from friends and family members of the fugitives, in helping to locate Massey and Groves. Law enforcement is hopeful that increased awareness and rewards will prompt individuals with knowledge of the fugitives’ whereabouts to come forward.
In summary, with two fugitives still on the run from the largest jailbreak in Louisiana’s history, the situation remains tense as law enforcement continues its intensive search efforts. The cooperation of the public may prove vital in bringing about a resolution to this high-stakes manhunt.
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Additional Resources
- WWLTV
- NOLA
- USA Today
- AP News
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans jailbreak
- Google Scholar: New Orleans crime
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans jail escape
