After a nearly five-month-long pursuit, authorities apprehended convicted murderer Derrick Groves in Atlanta on October 8, 2025, bringing a significant chapter of New Orleans’ criminal history to a close.

The arrest was the culmination of a strategic law enforcement operation, but the tale of Groves’ escape is deeply entwined with his girlfriend, Darriana Burton, a former jail employee now at the center of allegations regarding her critical role in his daring jailbreak.

Who Is Derrick Groves Girlfriend?

Darriana Burton, 28, who once served as a recruit for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, is officially recognized as Derrick Groves’ girlfriend. Her involvement with him transcends mere personal ties, as she is now a central figure in a major criminal investigation. Authorities claim she exploited her insider knowledge and access to orchestrate his escape from the Orleans Justice Center.

According to court documents, Burton is accused of actively participating in the escape plan. Just two days before Groves’ breakout, she allegedly engaged in a video call with him from within the jail. During this call, Burton is said to have held up a second device to the camera, allowing an unidentified individual to join the conversation, thus enabling unmonitored discussion of the escape strategy.

Burton’s legal issues concerning Groves are not unprecedented. Her tenure with the Sheriff’s Office ended in March 2023 following her arrest for allegedly smuggling contraband, including a folding knife and synthetic marijuana, into the jail.

Although these initial charges were eventually dropped by the District Attorney’s office, this incident highlighted a pattern of allegedly leveraging her position to assist Groves.

A Previous Arrest for Contraband

Burton’s legal troubles related to Groves are not new. Her employment with the Sheriff’s Office was terminated in March 2023 after she was arrested for bringing contraband, including a folding knife and synthetic marijuana, into the jail facility.

While those initial charges were later refused by the District Attorney’s office, this prior incident established a pattern of allegedly using her position to assist him.

Darriana Burton Arrest and High Bond

U.S. Marshals arrested Darriana Burton on June 9, 2025, as part of the ongoing investigation into the May 16 jailbreak. She faces a felony charge of conspiracy to commit simple escape.

A judge set her bond at a formidable $2.5 million, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations against her and the perceived flight risk.

The Final Capture of Derrick Groves

Derrick Groves was apprehended on October 8, 2025, following a brief standoff at a home in southwest Atlanta. A tip to Crimestoppers led authorities to the location, where a SWAT team used gas canisters and a police dog to locate him hiding in a crawl space beneath the house.

Derrick Groves, the last inmate from that New Orleans jail escape a few months back, was caught hiding in a crawl space at a house in Atlanta after a Crimestoppers tip led U.S. Marshals to him. pic.twitter.com/eA4FCQ067Z

— Triip (@triipmag) October 8, 2025

He waived extradition and will return to Louisiana to face upgraded charges of aggravated escape, in addition to his existing murder convictions.