Final escaped New Orleans inmate in custody following ‘brief stand-off’: Police

The last of the 10 inmates who had been on the run following a New Orleans jailbreak in May has finally been captured, as confirmed by police on Wednesday. Derrick Groves, 28, was apprehended after a brief stand-off in Atlanta, Louisiana State Police reported. This successful capture was the result of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies such as the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the New Orleans Police Department, the Atlanta Police Department, Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans, and others.

The standoff with Groves took place at a residence in southwest Atlanta, according to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. Groves was one of the inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center by climbing through a hole behind a toilet in May. The escape went unnoticed for several hours, sparking a massive manhunt.

Groves had been convicted of two counts of second-degree murder in a 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting and was facing a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Additionally, he had also pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter in unrelated cases, according to online court records.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams expressed relief upon Groves’ capture, calling it a significant breach of public safety and custodial security. He vowed to pursue every legal avenue to ensure Groves is held accountable for his actions. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also announced that Groves would face charges for his role in the escape and promised full prosecution.

Groves’ girlfriend, Darriana Burton, was arrested in June for allegedly aiding in his escape. She was accused of actively participating in the planning of the escape by relaying information and coordinating communications between Groves and outsiders. Burton is among several individuals arrested for assisting the escapees, including another inmate and a jail maintenance worker.

Following the jailbreak, three inmates were captured in New Orleans within 24 hours, while others were apprehended in Baton Rouge and Texas in the following days. The ninth inmate, Antoine Massey, was located in New Orleans in late June after a tip led authorities to him. Massey had gained attention earlier that month for a video circulating online where he was seen pleading for help.

As the situation continues to unfold, updates on this developing story will be provided. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.