New Orleans Fugitive Antoine Massey Caught After Six-Week Manhunt
On June 27, 2025, New Orleans law enforcement arrested Antoine Massey, 33—one of ten inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. With tactical precision and community cooperation, the fugitive was apprehended peacefully at a city residence after officials responded to an anonymous tip. Authorities surrounded the home in the Hollygrove neighborhood, and Massey surrendered, exiting calmly with his hands raised.
The Apprentice of Evasion
Massey isn’t new to jail breaks. His record includes prior escapes—from a juvenile detention center in 2007, Morehouse Parish jail in 2019, and attempts to cut off ankle monitors in 2023. During this latest escape, he posted videos on social media claiming, “I didn’t break out—I was let out,” and appealed to celebrities and former President Trump for intervention.
Earlier this month, investigators raided a New Orleans home believed to be the recording location for these videos. Though Massey wasn’t there, they did locate clothing matching those he wore in the clips.
The jailbreak was audacious: the inmates pulled open a faulty cell door, removed a toilet, carved a hole in the wall, and scaled barbed wire to escape around 12:23 a.m. The break wasn’t discovered until the next morning’s head count—over seven hours later. The incident exposed critical flaws in jail infrastructure and security protocols, leading to arrests of at least 13 people—ranging from a jail plumber to family members accused of aiding the escape.
Prior to his escape, Massey faced serious charges: domestic violence with strangulation, motor vehicle theft, domestic battery, plus warrants in St. Tammany Parish for alleged rape and kidnapping. Authorities expect to file additional charges, including escape-related offenses.
His capture involved multiple agencies: the New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, U.S. Marshals, FBI, Homeland Security, and a community tip via CrimeStoppers—the same coalition credited with locating eight other escapees.
One man remains free: Derrick Groves, 28, a convicted double murderer. A $50,000 reward is now on the table for information leading to his arrest. Authorities strongly urge Groves to surrender peacefully, promising no unnecessary use of force.
It’s important to note: as of June 27, 2025, nine of the ten escapees have been captured.
Why This Matters
- High-profile escape: One of the largest recent mass jail breaks in the U.S.
- Security shake-up: Jail officials have since upgraded locks, reinforced walls, installed razor wire, and tightened other security—all thanks to public scrutiny and oversight.
- Public safety and trust: This case highlights the importance of operational transparency, robust infrastructure, and quick police-community collaboration.
Antoine Massey’s peaceful surrender ends a dramatic six-week chase, but the spotlight now shifts to the lone remaining escapee—Derrick Groves—and the push for jail reform. With improved security in place and a significant reward on offer, the hope is that Groves follows suit and gives himself up. Thanks to community tips, thorough investigations, and robust law enforcement partnership, New Orleans took a major step toward putting a closure to one of its most notorious jail breaks in recent memory.
