After six weeks on the run, Antoine Massey, the ninth inmate from the notorious Orleans Justice Center jailbreak that shocked New Orleans, has finally been captured while a convicted murderer remains at large with a $50,000 bounty on his head.
Key Takeaways
- Antoine Massey, one of ten inmates who escaped from Orleans Justice Center on May 16, has been captured after six weeks as a fugitive.
- The escape involved inmates removing a toilet, creating a hole in the wall, and scaling a fence—remaining undetected for over seven hours.
- Derrick Groves, convicted of second-degree murder and attempted murder, remains the only fugitive still at large.
- A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Groves’ capture.
- The jailbreak investigation has resulted in at least 16 arrests, including a jail maintenance worker suspected of aiding the escape.
Ninth Inmate Captured in Coordinated Operation
Law enforcement officials have successfully apprehended Antoine Massey, 33, at a residence in New Orleans following an extensive six-week manhunt. The capture marks significant progress in the effort to round up all ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, 2025. Massey, who faced charges of domestic abuse battery, motor vehicle theft, and parole violation at the time of his escape, was taken into custody without incident in what authorities describe as a peaceful arrest. Following his capture, Massey was promptly airlifted to a state correctional facility outside New Orleans.
The arrest resulted from a coordinated operation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies acting on a tip. Authorities are now investigating whether Massey received assistance during his time as a fugitive. Louisiana State Police Superintendent Robert Hodges believes Massey had help evading capture for such an extended period. “It’s pretty obvious over the last six weeks, to remain a fugitive that long, he had assistance, he had help. Whether or not it was someone helped him with the Airbnb, we would have to think ‘yes,’ but who (it was) and all those things will be determined later,” said LSP Superintendent Robert Hodges, according to New Orleans’ Times-Picayune.
BREAKING: Jail escapee Antoine Massey was recaptured Friday (June 27) in New Orleans, the US Marshals Service announced. Only Derrick Groves remains among the 10 fugitives who escaped on May 16 from the Orleans Justice Center jail. https://t.co/KTqK5lldUC pic.twitter.com/XoOf5eCDFH
— FOX 8 New Orleans (@FOX8NOLA) June 27, 2025
Brazen Escape Exploited Facility Weaknesses
The jailbreak that allowed ten inmates to escape from the Orleans Justice Center has exposed serious security flaws in the facility. Investigators determined that the inmates exploited faulty infrastructure, beginning with a malfunctioning cell door. The escapees then tore a toilet off a wall, creating a hole large enough to crawl through, and subsequently scaled a perimeter fence. The audacity of the escape was highlighted by graffiti left at the scene reading “Too easy LOL,” mocking the facility’s security measures.
“Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair told CNN that Mr. Massey was taken in a “peaceful” manner without further incident,” stated Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair
Perhaps most concerning is that the escape went undetected for over seven hours and was only discovered during a routine morning headcount. This security failure has prompted a sweeping investigation resulting in at least 16 arrests, including a jail maintenance worker suspected of facilitating the escape. The ease with which these inmates were able to break out raises serious questions about the management and security protocols at the Orleans Justice Center, a facility that has faced criticism in the past for its inadequate conditions.
Dangerous Fugitive Still at Large
With Massey’s capture, nine of the ten escaped inmates are now back in custody. However, Derrick Groves, considered the most dangerous of the group, remains at large. Groves was serving time for second-degree murder and attempted murder convictions when he escaped, making his continued freedom a significant public safety concern. Law enforcement has established a combined reward of $50,000 for information leading to his arrest, underscoring the urgency of his capture.
New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has publicly urged Groves to surrender peacefully as the manhunt intensifies. President Trump’s administration has emphasized support for local law enforcement in their efforts to apprehend dangerous fugitives and protect American communities. The brazen escape and extended manhunt highlight the need for increased funding and attention to prison security nationwide, particularly in facilities housing violent offenders. This case exemplifies the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement when dealing with inadequate infrastructure and potential insider assistance in correctional facilities.
