News Summary
A manhunt is ongoing for Antoine Massey, who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center. Along with Derrick Groves, he is one of two fugitives still at large. Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for tips leading to their capture, as Massey disputes the allegations against him through social media. With intensified efforts, officials reveal systemic issues within the jail that contributed to the breakout.
New Orleans – A manhunt is currently underway for Antoine Massey, who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, 2025. He is one of two remaining fugitives, alongside Derrick Groves. In the weeks following their escape, law enforcement agencies have recaptured eight inmates and arrested more than a dozen individuals believed to have aided their flight from custody.
The reward for information leading to the capture of Massey or Groves stands at $50,000 for each fugitive. This sum has been bolstered by donations from organizations such as Crime Stoppers, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as authorities intensify their efforts to locate them.
Massey has taken to social media, specifically his Instagram account “@_007chucky,” to address the allegations against him and present his perspective. In a series of videos, he disputes claims that he threatened a jail maintenance worker to facilitate the jailbreak. Moreover, he argues that the domestic abuse battery charge filed against him was the result of a false report made by a jealous girlfriend, insisting that he is innocent and was wrongfully incarcerated.
In his videos, he displays paperwork claiming his innocence, alleging that he was one of the inmates incorrectly labeled as an escapee. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has publicly urged Massey to surrender, emphasizing that doing so would be in his best interest and beneficial for the pursuit of justice.
Compounding the situation, Massey has accused the State of Louisiana of corruption, claiming he was facing life sentences for unjust charges and has endured mistreatment while behind bars. His videos also appeal to a range of public figures, requesting their assistance, including former President Donald Trump and notable musicians Lil Wayne and Meek Mill.
The particulars of the escape involve inmates cutting a hole behind a toilet to access a pipe chase, eventually escaping out a loading dock. Investigators have indicated that at least 15 individuals provided various forms of aid to the escapees both during and following the jailbreak. Additionally, security footage captured the escape occurring at around 12:22 a.m. However, the escape went unnoticed for over eight hours due to operational failures within the jail, including the malfunctioning of about one-third of its security cameras.
The investigation into the jailbreak has revealed deeper issues at the Orleans Justice Center, including overcrowded conditions and malfunctioning locks, which are believed to have contributed to the escape. A former jail employee is alleged to have assisted the escapees by transporting them following their breakout and enabling communication with family members.
Massey has a lengthy criminal history that includes armed robbery and previous escapes from custody, as well as charges for motor vehicle theft and domestic abuse battery that led to his initial incarceration. A woman described as Massey’s “paramour” reportedly has a history of physical abuse inflicted by him and was aware of his escape plans, which further complicates the case.
As the search for both Massey and Groves continues, authorities are urging people with information about their whereabouts to step forward, especially friends and family. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has acknowledged the social media videos but has yet to confirm Massey’s identity in them prior to the content being deleted.
The situation remains dynamic and with the increased reward, law enforcement hopes to gather valuable tips that will lead to the swift apprehension of the remaining fugitives. The search underscores the broader concerns about jail security and inmate management following this high-profile escape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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New Orleans: Two Inmates Captured After Jailbreak
Jailbreak in New Orleans Leads to Manhunt for Escapees
Inmates Recaptured After Escape from Orleans Justice Center
New Orleans Inmates Caught After High-Speed Chase
District Attorney Recuses from Jailbreak Investigation
Inmates Extradited Back to Louisiana After Escape
Two Escapees from Orleans Justice Center Recaptured in Texas
Two Inmates Captured After New Orleans Jail Escape
Intensified Manhunt for Orleans Parish Jail Escapees
Additional Resources
- WWLTV: New Orleans Jail Escape
- CBS News: New Orleans Jail Escape
- The Guardian: New Orleans Jail Escape
- NOLA: Antoine Massey Video
- USA Today: New Orleans Jailbreak
- Wikipedia: New Orleans
- Google Search: New Orleans jail escape
- Google Scholar: New Orleans jail escape
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New Orleans
- Google News: New Orleans jail escape
