Illustration of the scene highlighting the dramatic escape from the Orleans Justice Center.
Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center by cutting a hole behind a toilet. Authorities are investigating with a reward offered for the remaining fugitives, as accomplices aided the escape. Two inmates remain at large, raising community concern and scrutiny over security protocols at the facility.
New Orleans – On May 16, 2025, ten inmates daringly escaped from the Orleans Justice Center by cutting a hole behind a toilet in their cell. This incident has led to a full-blown investigation as authorities seek to recapture the remaining fugitives, two of whom are still at large, and have increased the reward for information on each escapee to $50,000 to encourage public tips.
The escape was not a solitary act; it involved substantial assistance from at least 15 accomplices, primarily friends and family members of the prisoners. These individuals provided critical resources such as food, cash, transportation, and shelter, enabling the escapees to evade capture. The investigation highlights the involvement of a former jail employee who allegedly drove one of the escapees, Lenton Vanburen, to a family member’s home shortly after the escape.
Accomplices to the escape used various methods to communicate discreetly, including messaging apps. Some have been accused of lying to authorities during interrogations, complicating the efforts to track down the fugitives. Bond amounts for those charged as accessories after the fact have skyrocketed, ranging from $1 million to higher amounts.
At the center of this ongoing investigation are the last two fugitive escapees, Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey. Groves, a convicted murderer, and Massey, who faces serious charges such as kidnapping and rape, remain at large. Reports indicate that Groves may have had an accomplice who transported Vanburen during the escape and facilitated video calls to his family.
Adding complexity to the case is the arrest of a woman sharing a name with a former Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office employee. This woman was previously implicated in bringing contraband into the jail, although her charges were ultimately dropped. Also arrested was a jail plumber, accused of aiding in the escape, though his defense claims he was merely conducting maintenance.
Following their escape, some of the fugitives reportedly communicated with accomplices via internet-based phone services, evading detection. Police officials used call records from one of the escapees, Corey Boyd, to track down his location, revealing that he had resorted to extortion, threatening individuals for money and access to their iCloud accounts.
The pursuit of Massey and Groves is active, with widespread efforts to locate them after they eluded capture. Social media posts purportedly from Massey have surfaced, causing concern about his current whereabouts and possible intentions. Authorities attempted to conduct a stakeout at Massey’s sister’s house, only to find it empty, suggesting efforts were made to cover up significant evidence.
Meanwhile, local authorities have reported that eight of the ten escapees have been recaptured, with ongoing investigations leading to multiple arrests connected to the escape operation. This includes a 59-year-old woman who was arrested for sending cash to another fugitive, Jermaine Donald.
The situation has prompted increased scrutiny of the management at the Orleans Parish Justice Center, which has faced several criticisms regarding its infrastructure and security protocols. The Louisiana State Police Superintendent emphasized the importance of community assistance in locating the remaining fugitives and highlighted the investigation’s ongoing nature.
As the manhunt continues, officials remain committed to addressing the factors that allowed such a significant security breach and ensuring that those involved in the escape, whether directly or indirectly, are brought to justice. The community’s response and the ongoing investigative efforts will likely play critical roles in the search for Massey and Groves, as well as in preventing similar incidents in the future.
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