Final Fugitive on the Run as New Orleans Jailbreak Nears End with Ninth Escapee Captured
June 28, 2025
New Orleans, Louisiana
In a dramatic turn of events, federal authorities have successfully apprehended the ninth inmate who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center last month, narrowing the manhunt to a single fugitive still at large.
Antoine Massey, 33, described as a serial escapee with a troubled criminal history, was arrested on Friday afternoon in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans. Acting on an anonymous tip, the U.S. Marshals Service located him inside a rental property just a few miles from the jail he fled on May 16 alongside nine other inmates.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest, while Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair stated that Massey was taken into custody peacefully and without resistance.
“After receiving a tip, follow-up investigative work led directly to the arrest today,” Fair said in a statement to CNN.
Massey, who was facing charges including vehicle theft and domestic abuse by strangulation, had previously escaped from a juvenile detention center back in 2007 following an arrest for armed robbery and aggravated assault.
A Bold and Unusual Escape Plot
The mass jailbreak, which stunned local authorities, involved a mix of negligence and ingenuity. Inmates exploited faulty locks, repurposed stolen bedding, and used makeshift tools — including electric hair clippers with multiple blades — to cut through the cell walls. Their escape was further facilitated by a distracted and reportedly hungry jail employee, underscoring ongoing concerns about staffing and oversight at the Orleans Justice Center.
Massey’s arrest came weeks after a bizarre video surfaced showing a man claiming to be him. In the footage, the man proclaimed his innocence, pleaded for help from rapper Lil Wayne, and held up what he claimed to be a notarized affidavit allegedly proving that his ex-girlfriend, Diamond White, had recanted allegations of abuse. Authorities have neither confirmed the authenticity of the video nor the document.
White was herself arrested in late May for allegedly aiding Massey following his escape, according to Louisiana State Police. She has not responded to media inquiries regarding the affidavit or her role in the jailbreak.
The Last Fugitive: Convicted Killer Still Eludes Authorities
With Massey in custody, only one escapee remains at large: Derrick Groves, a convicted double murderer with a violent record. Groves was found guilty in October for the 2018 killings during a Mardi Gras celebration that turned tragic when two gunmen opened fire with AK-47-style rifles. He later pleaded guilty to battery against a corrections officer.
According to the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office, Groves’ case was retried four times before a final conviction was secured. His girlfriend, Darriana Burton, was arrested earlier this month on charges of assisting in his escape. Investigators traced video calls and text messages exchanged between the two in the days leading up to the breakout.
At a press conference on Friday, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick addressed Groves directly:
“We will find you. You have the choice to surrender peacefully — the public defender is ready to support you the moment you do.”
Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Groves’ capture, with contributions from Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans, the FBI, and other federal partners.
A Relentless Manhunt Continues
Despite capturing nine of the ten fugitives, law enforcement officials emphasize that the search for Groves remains their top priority.
“Just as we located Mr. Massey, we will find Mr. Groves,” declared Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal Walter Martin. “Whether it takes another six days or six weeks, we will not rest.”
Martin also urged the public to come forward with any relevant information, reassuring that anonymity will be protected.