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 still on the run after May’s dramatic Orleans Justice Center jailbreak, has been captured by US Marshals, multiple law enforcement sources confirm to WWL Louisiana.
His arrest marks a major development in the massive multi-agency manhunt that has stretched for more than six weeks, involving state police, the FBI, US Marshals, and local law enforcement.
Authorities said a CrimeStoppers GNO tip helped lead to his arrest. U.S. Marshals said Massey was caught at a residence in the 9400 block of Stroelitz in Hollygrove on Friday.
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