Law enforcement working diligently in New Orleans to locate escapees.
The manhunt for the last two escapees from the Orleans Justice Center is intensifying, with authorities offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to their arrests. Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey are among a group of ten inmates who fled from the facility more than a week ago. While eight have been recaptured, law enforcement is concerned about potential assistance from accomplices. The incident has raised questions about the facility’s security and oversight, prompting an investigation into the jailbreak and possible staff involvement.
The reward was previously set at $20,000, reflecting a significant escalation in the urgency to locate the fugitives as the manhunt proceeds. Of the ten escapees, eight have already been recaptured, heightening focus on the remaining two.
Derrick Groves, who is convicted of murder, was sentenced in 2024 for his involvement in the shooting deaths of Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson. Antoine Massey, the other escapee, was facing serious domestic abuse charges, including strangulation, before the jailbreak. It is suspected that both individuals may have received assistance from accomplices and could possibly have fled Louisiana altogether.
Authorities, including Louisiana State Police Colonel Robert Hodges, have indicated that there is a possibility that the escapees are being assisted by others. Attorney General Liz Murrill has noted that they may have moved to different cities but remains confident in their eventual capture. Since the escape, law enforcement has received over 700 tips from the public, leading to the arrest of 14 individuals accused of helping the inmates.
The escape itself was dramatic and brazen. Inmates managed to rip a toilet from the wall in their cell, cut through steel bars, and crawl through a hole to freedom. This jailbreak went unnoticed by jail staff for over seven hours, raising concerns about the facility’s security and oversight. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has faced significant criticism for her office’s management of the situation. In response, she has requested funding for necessary upgrades to the jail, funding that has been repeatedly denied in the past.
An ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak involves the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office as well as the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Authorities are focusing not just on the escapees but also on the potential involvement of jail employees, with at least one jail worker already arrested for allegedly aiding the inmates. Both Groves and Massey may have taken steps to change their appearances since their escape, but they are reportedly running low on resources, which could complicate their evasion efforts.
The public safety aspect remains a critical priority for law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and ATF, as they emphasize the need for the community’s assistance. Authorities are urging residents to report any sightings of Groves or Massey immediately, as their capture is considered a public safety concern.
The community is encouraged to remain vigilant, as these escapees pose a potential risk. The fact that family members of the escapees are allegedly providing tips to help locate them may play a crucial role in bringing them back into custody. Overall, the search for Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey continues under heightened pressure as law enforcement intensifies efforts to ensure the safety of the New Orleans community.
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