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Massey’s capture ends a weeks-long manhunt; fugitive Derrick Groves is now the only Orleans Justice Center escapee still free.
NEW ORLEANS — Antoine Massey, one of two inmates who remained at large following May’s daring escape from the Orleans Justice Center, has been apprehended by US Marshals, as multiple law enforcement sources have informed WWL Louisiana.
This arrest represents a significant breakthrough in the extensive search effort coordinated by multiple agencies that has lasted over six weeks, enlisting the help of state police, the FBI, US Marshals, and local law enforcement.
Officials credited a tip from CrimeStoppers GNO for aiding in his capture. According to U.S. Marshals, Massey was detained at a home on the 9400 block of Stroelitz in Hollygrove on Friday.
Officials said Massey was captured peacefully and without resistance. State police said he will be transferred to Angola state prison.
WWL Louisiana was on the scene and spoke to a woman who owned the property, sometimes used as an Airbnb. The woman said she did not know who was staying there. Law enforcement said that Massey undoubtedly had help to stay on the run six weeks, during a press conference on Friday.
‘We are going to capture you’ | Updates on Massey capture, officials urge Groves to turn himself in
Derrick Groves remains on the run and officials urged that he turn himself in. One woman was arrested for allegedly helping him.
Louisiana State Police transferred Massey to Angola late Friday night. State Police said he was flown by LSP air support.
Massey and Derrick Groves were the last two fugitives from the May 16 escape, when 10 inmates tampered with a sliding door, disappeared behind a toilet into a plumbing chase, and scaled fences to freedom in the middle of the night. Eight were recaptured within days.
Attorney General Liz Murrill released a statement.
“Antoine Massey has finally been recaptured in the Hollygrove area of New Orleans,” she said. “He will now face additional charges for his role in the escape, and I’ll ensure that he will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Great work by all our law enforcement partners who have been working so hard for this outcome. One more to go!”
Massey’s capture
Massey, 32, had previously evaded capture despite a viral social media video earlier this month in which a man identifying himself as Massey pleaded his innocence and begged rappers like Lil Wayne and Meek Mill for help. Law enforcement raided a home linked to that video but found only clothes believed to belong to him.
Only Groves remains at large
With Massey back in custody, convicted murderer Derrick Groves is now the only inmate still on the run. Groves was convicted in a 2018 double homicide and is the grandson of Kim Groves, whose assassination by a corrupt NOPD officer in 1994 became a national scandal.
Law enforcement continues to pursue Groves, who is considered armed and dangerous. Officials say anyone aiding him could face criminal charges.
Background on the escape
The May 16 jailbreak remains one of the largest in recent New Orleans history. Surveillance footage showed inmates removing a toilet to access a maintenance chase and scaling barbed wire fences to flee. The incident triggered widespread criticism of Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson’s leadership, city infrastructure failures, and inter-agency communication gaps.
In recent weeks, the Attorney General’s office has led prosecutions against alleged accomplices, including Groves’ girlfriend Darriana Burton, who was arrested for conspiracy to commit simple escape and is being held on a $2.5 million bond.
The public is urged to report any information about Derrick Groves’ whereabouts to law enforcement immediately.
Call to Action
Anyone with information is asked to contact:
- FBI: 1-800-CALL-FBI
- Crime Stoppers: 504-822-1111
- LSP Fusion Center: 225-925-4192
