Louisiana AG Confident Remaining Jailbreak Fugitives Will Be Captured After 14th Arrest
Mass jailbreak in Orleans Parish leads to 14 arrests as authorities intensify efforts to capture two remaining fugitives with over 200 officers on the hunt.
New Orleans authorities have made significant progress following last week’s mass jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center, arresting a total of 14 people in connection with the escape. Eight of the 10 inmates who fled the facility have been re-arrested, while two fugitives remain on the run.
The two men still at large are Antoine T. Massey, wanted for domestic abuse charges, and Derrick Groves, a four-time convicted killer. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill assured the public, “I am absolutely confident that they will be recaptured, and we just are going to continue our very methodical work to get them back in custody.” She emphasized that both men should be regarded as “armed and dangerous.”
Authorities this week arrested three women—Daishanae Massey, sister of fugitive Antoine Massey, along with Lenika Vanburen and Diamond White—accusing them of aiding the escapees. Officials say the breakout became possible after several inmates managed to remove a toilet from a cell wall and crawl through the resulting hole.
The eight recaptured inmates have been identified as Lenton Vanburen Jr., Leo Tate, Jermaine Donald, Corey Boyd, Robert Moody, Gary C. Price, Dkenan Dennis, and Kendall Myles. In total, 11 additional individuals face charges for allegedly assisting the escaped prisoners. These include Patricia Vanburen, Tyshanea "Minnie" Randolph, Lenton Vanburen Sr., Angel McKey, Emmitt Weber, Trevon Williams, Casey Smith, Sterling Williams, Connie Weeden, Corvanntay Baptiste, and Cortnie Harris.
“They were sympathetic. Some of them are relatives,” Murrill stated, highlighting how the escapees turned to people within their personal networks for help. Authorities warn that anyone caught aiding fugitives will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Derrick Groves, one of the remaining fugitives, was found guilty last October of two counts of second-degree murder stemming from a Mardi Gras shooting earlier this year. He later pleaded guilty to two additional manslaughter charges in separate incidents. Groves, already serving two life sentences, escaped just prior to his sentencing on the manslaughter counts. His aunt, Jasmine Groves, has publicly implored him to surrender peacefully and has raised concerns about jail conditions, noting that Groves had previously been stabbed three times while incarcerated.
Officials concede that staffing shortages at the Orleans Parish facility contributed to the ease of the escape. At the time, just 40 staff members—including 4 supervisors—were responsible for 1,400 inmates. The facility was only at 60% of its required staffing, intensifying scrutiny and criticism of jail management. Sheriff Susan Hutson has responded by calling for long-term investment in infrastructure, particularly plumbing upgrades, citing chronic maintenance issues and flooding risks.
“These recurring plumbing issues highlight a much deeper infrastructure crisis at OJC, rooted in years of deferred maintenance, chronic overcrowding, and a lack of meaningful investment,” Hutson said. She acknowledged responsibility for the security breach and announced a temporary suspension of her re-election campaign to focus on regaining public trust and addressing immediate safety concerns.
Law enforcement agencies, including a violent offender warrant squad, the FBI, and U.S. Marshals, are actively searching for the remaining escapees. More than 200 officers have been mobilized across the region. The FBI is offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the fugitives’ arrest, while Crime Stoppers has set rewards at $2,000 per inmate.
Sheriff Hutson reiterated her commitment: “We’ve taken immediate action, including suspensions, an arrest and full cooperation with the attorney general’s investigation.” She vowed further steps to improve operational safety at the jail and called for greater collaboration with local agencies and community organizations.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the escapees is urged to contact authorities. Officials stress that aiding or sheltering the fugitives will result in prosecution as an accomplice, as the search for the two men continues.
