News Summary
Two inmates, Jermaine Donald and Leo Tate, who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center, have been recaptured in Texas after a high-speed chase. With eight inmates recaptured, the manhunt for two others continues, prompting law enforcement to increase reward offers. The jailbreak raised concerns about overcrowding and facility conditions, leading to arrests of those who assisted the escapees.
New Orleans, Louisiana — Two of the ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16 have been recaptured following a high-speed chase in Huntsville, Texas. Jermaine Donald, 42, and Leo Tate, 31, were extradited back to Louisiana on May 30 after being apprehended by law enforcement in Texas.
The two men, along with eight other inmates, executed their escape by dismantling a toilet and sink unit in their cell, before crawling through a hole in the wall. Since their escape, law enforcement agencies have been engaged in an intensive manhunt to locate the remaining fugitives. Currently, two inmates—Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27—are still at large.
According to the Louisiana State Police, Donald and Tate led officers on a chase through Huntsville prior to their capture. Following their extradition, both men will face charges related to their escape. In addition, Donald is facing a separate charge for resisting an officer.
As the manhunt for Massey and Groves continues, local authorities have increased the reward for information leading to their capture to $50,000 each, citing both individuals as dangerous. Massey has a history of violent crime, which includes charges related to domestic abuse and vehicle theft. Groves, a convicted murderer, has ongoing charges related to previous violent crimes, including two double homicides.
Of the ten inmates who escaped, eight have been recaptured as of late May 2025. The investigation following the jailbreak has already resulted in the arrest of over a dozen individuals believed to have assisted the escapees, highlighting a concerning network of support for the fugitives.
Among those arrested is a jail plumber who allegedly complied with a request from Massey to turn off the water in their cell. The plumber claimed he was threatened by the inmates. Court documents indicate that the escapees maintained communication with their accomplices using internet phone services to avoid detection and organized support during and after their escape. This included numerous contacts who allegedly provided cash, food, and transportation.
Surveillance footage from the jail revealed that the escape began at approximately 12:22 AM, with jail authorities not realizing the inmates were missing for over eight hours. The situation has drawn significant criticism regarding the Orleans Parish jail’s overcrowding and faulty infrastructure, factors believed to have contributed to the jailbreak.
In addition to structural concerns, local officials and law enforcement have faced scrutiny over their handling of the affair. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams has recused himself from the investigation amid allegations of a conflict of interest, further complicating the response to the escape.
Authorities are continuing to seek assistance from the public to secure the capture of Massey and Groves. The ongoing situation remains critical as the search continues, and the communities of Louisiana are urged to remain vigilant and report any information related to the fugitives.
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