Louisiana authorities have made progress in the ongoing manhunt for the remaining fugitive from the Orleans Justice Center escape after arresting Antoine Massey, the ninth escapee. Massey, a 33-year-old man incarcerated for domestic abuse battery, theft of a motor vehicle, and parole violations, was captured at a residence in New Orleans following a joint operation involving the Louisiana State Police, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshal Service, and New Orleans Police Department. His arrest followed a video he posted on Instagram, where he pleaded for help from celebrities, including Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, YoungBoy, and former President Donald Trump, to prove his self-proclaimed innocence and secure legal representation.
Despite the capture of nine of the 10 escapees, Derrick Groves, a four-time convicted killer and serial escapee, remains at large. Authorities have offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Groves’ arrest, and the search continues with the assistance of multiple law enforcement agencies. The Louisiana State Police reported that the Orleans Justice Center was at only 60% staffing capacity at the time of the escape, with four supervisors and 36 staff members monitoring 1,400 inmates, highlighting the challenges faced by the facility in maintaining security.
The incident has also had repercussions within local government as Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson temporarily suspended her re-election campaign in the wake of the escape. Officials expressed confidence that the remaining fugitives will be recaptured, citing the arrest of more than a dozen additional individuals suspected of aiding the escape. The situation has sparked discussions about the need for improved prison security and resource allocation to prevent similar incidents in the future.