New Orleans jailbreak capture: Last fugitive caught in Atlanta

The final escapee from the New Orleans jailbreak, Derrick Groves, has been captured in Atlanta after five months on the run. Authorities plan extradition and further charges.
Derrick Groves, the final escapee from a dramatic New Orleans prison breakout in May, was captured this week in Atlanta, ending a five-month manhunt that captured national attention.

Dramatic Jailbreak in New Orleans

On May 16, 2025, ten inmates made a daring escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Using a hole in the bathroom wall behind a toilet, the prisoners climbed over a fence and crossed a nearby interstate to make their getaway.

Authorities discovered the escape during a routine morning head count, finding only a taunting message left on the bathroom wall, including phrases like “To easy LoL” and a smiley face, leaving law enforcement stunned.

Rapid Recaptures Follow the Escape

Three escapees were quickly apprehended the same day, and by the end of May, all but two were back in custody. Antoine Massey was captured six weeks later in late June. This left only Derrick Groves, a 28-year-old convicted murderer, still at large.

Groves had previously been sentenced to life in prison for a double murder during Mardi Gras 2018, as well as attempted murder and federal firearms charges.

The Atlanta Capture

In early October, investigators traced Groves to a residence in southwest Atlanta using search warrants and intelligence gathered from multiple agencies.

A joint operation involving Atlanta police, U.S. Marshals, and a SWAT team led to Groves’ capture. He was discovered hiding in the crawl space of the home after police used gas canisters and a K-9 unit to locate him.

Officials did not disclose how long Groves had been at the Atlanta residence or the circumstances that brought him there. Video footage of his arrest shows him blowing a kiss to the camera as he was escorted into a police cruiser.

Legal Proceedings and Next Steps

Groves faces multiple charges:

• Simple escape in Louisiana
• Potential aggravated escape charges due to weapons and drugs found at the Atlanta house
• Possible prosecution in Georgia and federal charges

He will have a hearing to determine whether he waives extradition back to Louisiana. Once returned, he will be arraigned on additional charges and ultimately join the other escapees at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

Network of Accomplices

Investigators also pursued those who may have aided Groves and other escapees. More than a dozen people have been arrested for allegedly assisting the prisoners, including:

• Jail employees accused of helping with escape logistics
• Former correctional staff
• Groves’ girlfriend, Darriana Burton, who allegedly coordinated communications from inside the jail

Burton, a former sheriff’s office employee, was arrested on a felony charge and has a $2.5 million bond set.

Political Fallout and Jail Reforms

The jailbreak sparked debates among Louisiana officials over accountability and systemic issues.

• Governor Jeff Landry praised law enforcement for their efforts while blaming “progressive politics” for lax security.
• Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson admitted responsibility but cited resource shortages, including faulty locks and staffing challenges.

The jail has since received $15 million for security upgrades after previous incidents, including a mistaken release in July due to a clerical error.

A Landmark Conclusion

The capture of Derrick Groves marks the end of one of the most high-profile prison escapes in recent Louisiana history. Authorities hope this serves as a cautionary tale and highlights the importance of enhanced prison security, multi-agency coordination, and vigilance in handling dangerous offenders.

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