Final Fugitive from Notorious New Orleans Jailbreak Captured in Atlanta

Tue Oct 21 2025 13:12:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Derrick Groves, the last of the ten inmates who escaped from a Louisiana jail in May, has been apprehended in Atlanta after nearly five months on the run.

Derrick Groves, the final escapee from a May jailbreak that saw ten men flee a New Orleans jail, was captured in Atlanta after evading authorities for almost five months. Convicted of murder, Groves was found hiding in a crawl space, with his mother expressing relief over his capture amidst concerns for his safety. The jailbreak, one of the largest in U.S. history, raised questions about jail security and potential inside assistance, leading to multiple arrests related to the case.

ATLANTA (AP) — The only escaped Louisiana inmate who remained on the run following an audacious May jailbreak in which 10 men crawled through a hole behind a toilet has been found in Atlanta, the U.S. Marshals said Wednesday.

Derrick Groves was taken into custody in a house after evading authorities for nearly five months, Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair confirmed. Sgt. Kate Stegall, a spokesperson for the Louisiana State Police, also said Groves was in custody after a brief standoff.

Groves, 28, had been convicted of murder and faced a possible life sentence before the jailbreak. He had the most violent criminal record of the escapees and authorities had offered a $50,000 reward for tips leading to his recapture.

“He was hiding in a crawl space,” Fair said. “It appears he was the only one in this house and he was hidden pretty well.”

No one else was arrested during the operation, Fair stated. Groves was captured by the U.S. Marshals’ southeast regional fugitive task force and the Atlanta Police Department SWAT team.

The other nine escapees were recaptured within six weeks of breaking out of the New Orleans jail on May 16, with most found still in Louisiana.

Last escapee’s mother reacts to his capture

“I’m all messed up; I’m just trying to talk to him,” Groves’ mother, Stephanie Groves, told The Associated Press. “I’m just seeing it on the internet; I woke up to it on the internet.”

Holding back tears, she expressed concern for her son’s safety and her hope he would surrender peacefully. She was unaware of why he went to Atlanta and had not been in contact with him since his escape. Her family has faced surveillance by law enforcement, she reported. “It’s just been a mess,” she remarked. “I’m just glad it’s over with.”

“Of course he was going to get caught,” she added.

The escape in New Orleans

Groves and the other nine men yanked open a faulty cell door inside the New Orleans jail, squeezed through a hole behind a toilet, scaled a barbed-wire fence, and fled into the cover of darkness. This jailbreak marked one of the largest in recent U.S. history.

The inmates’ absence was only discovered during the morning headcount, hours after their escape. Notably, they left a message at the scene of the crime, drawing an arrow on the wall pointing at the gap they had slipped through and inscribing above it: “To Easy LoL.”

Officials have cited several security lapses in the jail, such as ineffective cell locks and a lone guard leaving the premises to acquire food, allowing the inmates to escape. However, authorities believe they likely had help, hinting at the possibility of an inside job.

A maintenance worker at the jail was arrested for allegedly assisting the inmates by disabling the toilet’s water supply, enabling the escape route. He has denied knowingly aiding the escape while his lawyer asserts he was simply unclogging a toilet. Another former jail employee, identified as Groves’ girlfriend, stands accused of helping coordinate the escape.

Search for the fugitives

Hundreds of law enforcement officers scoured the city for the fugitives, utilizing phone records and numerous tips, which allowed some escapees to be located quickly.

At least 16 individuals, many friends and family of the escapees, have been arrested on felony charges for allegedly aiding the fugitives both prior to and post-jailbreak. Allegations include providing food, cash, transport, and shelter.

One fugitive purportedly hid out in a vacant home that a friend was hired to repaint, only to be captured in Baton Rouge, more than 80 miles from New Orleans. Others were apprehended following a high-speed car chase in Texas. The majority of the fugitives, however, were found within the Orleans Parish city limits.

Antoine Massey, among the last to be captured, reportedly posted photos and videos on social media while evading capture.

Most escapees were awaiting trial or sentencing for violent offenses, including murder. Groves, recently convicted of second-degree murder for a shooting that resulted in two fatalities at a family block party, faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has faced criticism regarding her management of the jail and its security following the breakout.

Escapees face additional charges

The other nine escapees pleaded not guilty to escape charges in July, appearing via video link from the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

“Everyone is entitled to due process. But there’s a video of these detainees running out of the jail in the middle of the night. They were not heading to court hearings,” state Attorney General Liz Murrill stated. “We will continue to hold everyone accountable for the escape.”

All ten men are charged with simple escape, which compounds previous criminal charges that initially lead to their incarceration. The escape charge could attract a sentence of two to five additional years in prison.

Groves’ attorney was present during the arraignment but did not enter a plea on his behalf, as reported by The New Orleans Advocate/The Times-Picayune.