Law enforcement intensifies search efforts for escaped inmate in the woods.
Authorities are intensifying the manhunt for Derrick Groves, the last escapee from Orleans Parish Jail, following a violent escape that led to multiple recaptures. Groves, considered dangerous due to his criminal history involving killings, remains at large more than two months after escaping. A reward of $50,000 is being offered for information leading to his capture, as law enforcement investigates the possibility of him receiving aid during his time on the run. The local community has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the search efforts.
New Orleans — The manhunt for Derrick Groves, the last escapee from the Orleans Parish Jail, has intensified as authorities continue to investigate the factors that led to his escape. Groves, aged 28, is considered dangerous due to his violent criminal history and remains at large more than two months after he and nine other inmates escaped on May 16, 2025, by cutting a hole in a wall behind a toilet.
As of the latest updates, three of the escapees—Robert Moody, Dkenan Dennis, and Kendell Myles—have been recaptured, leaving Groves the only escapee still evading law enforcement. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office has released photographs of the escape route in hopes of generating leads. Authorities have raised concerns that Groves is possibly receiving aid from family or friends while in hiding, complicating the search efforts.
Groves is linked to four killings and a series of violent felonies, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. He was awaiting sentencing after a jury convicted him for a shooting incident at a block party that resulted in two deaths and several injuries. If recaptured, Groves faces two life imprisonment terms without parole.
To assist in the manhunt, a reward of $50,000 is being offered for information leading to Groves’ arrest. The search involves multiple agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Louisiana State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations. Initially, approximately 200 personnel were involved in the search, but as tips have dwindled, this number has since decreased.
The local community has voiced skepticism regarding the efficiency of local law enforcement, a sentiment that poses an additional challenge to the ongoing search efforts. Furthermore, two individuals connected to Groves have been arrested: his girlfriend, Darriana Burton, who is a former Sheriff’s Office employee, and Sterling Williams, a jail plumber charged with facilitating the escape.
In light of the escape and subsequent investigation, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has advocated for $15 million in emergency repairs to address deficiencies at the Orleans Parish Jail. This appeal follows the discovery of systemic failures revealed during the investigation, emphasizing the need for improved security measures.
Since the escape, Groves has successfully maintained a low profile, refraining from any public statements or social media activity. Historical data indicates that about 90% of escapees from correctional facilities are typically recaptured within a year, although the circumstances surrounding each case can differ significantly. Research also shows that 8% of jail escapees commit acts of violence against community members while on the run, while 6% may target authorities attempting to recapture them.
Derrick Groves has a complicated background, marked by a troubled family history, including the tragic murder of his grandmother by a corrupt police officer in 1994. While multiple defense attorneys have characterized Groves as intelligent, they also highlight his manipulative and violent tendencies, adding to the unpredictable nature of his actions while on the run.
As the search for Groves continues, law enforcement remains dedicated to the task at hand, hoping that the public will assist in bringing this violent felon back into custody.
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