Ninth Orleans Parish jail escapee captured after six weeks on the run, one remains at large

Antoine Massey, one of ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans on May 16, 2025, has been apprehended after more than six weeks as a fugitive. Massey, 33, was arrested at a residence in New Orleans on June 27 in a coordinated operation involving local, state, and federal law enforcement, including the Louisiana State Police, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Marshals Service.

The May 16 escape, described by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as the worst in recent state history, involved ten inmates exploiting faulty infrastructure. The group managed to yank open a malfunctioning cell door, remove a toilet from a cell wall, and crawl through a hole behind it. After escaping through the wall, they scaled a barbed wire fence and fled the facility. The escape went undetected for more than seven hours, with jail staff discovering the missing inmates only during a morning headcount.

Graffiti left behind at the escape site, including the phrase "To easy LOL," highlighted the audacity of the breakout.

Charges and investigation

At the time of his escape, Massey was being held on charges of domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, motor vehicle theft, and parole violations. Authorities have indicated that additional charges related to the escape are likely. Massey will be transferred to a secure state correctional facility outside New Orleans.

The jailbreak triggered a sweeping investigation. At least 16 people have been arrested for allegedly assisting the inmates, including a jail maintenance worker accused of disabling the water supply to facilitate the removal of the toilet. The maintenance worker’s attorney has denied involvement, stating the water was turned off due to a clog in another cell. Several jail staff members have also been suspended pending further investigation.

Remaining fugitive and ongoing search

With Massey's capture, nine of the ten escapees are now back in custody. The last remaining fugitive, Derrick Groves, 27, was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder related to a 2018 Mardi Gras shooting. Authorities continue to search for Groves, and a $50,000 reward remains for information leading to his arrest.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick has publicly urged Groves to surrender peacefully, emphasizing that law enforcement will continue their efforts until he is found.