Ninth Escaped Inmate Recaptured in New Orleans While Murder Convict Remains on the Run

Antoine Massey, a notorious repeat escapee, has been captured after evading authorities for over a month following a bold jailbreak involving ten inmates from the Orleans Justice Center. His arrest on Friday afternoon in New Orleans leaves only one escapee, Derrick Groves, still at large.

The 33-year-old Massey was apprehended without incident at a rental property in the Hollygrove neighborhood, located just a few miles from the jail he escaped. His arrest followed a coordinated effort led by Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair, who confirmed that the operation ended peacefully thanks to an anonymous tip that led officers directly to his location.

Massey was facing serious charges before the escape, including vehicle theft and domestic abuse by strangulation, according to court records from Orleans Parish. He had been part of a jailbreak on May 16, where he and nine others exploited weak jail infrastructure — faulty locks, smuggled bedding, and even tools like electric hair clippers with multiple blades — to carve their way through cell walls and slip out undetected. The inmates also reportedly took advantage of a distracted jail employee to facilitate their escape in the early morning hours.

Authorities noted Massey's long history of fleeing detention. He first made headlines in 2007 when, as a juvenile, he escaped a New Orleans detention center after being arrested for armed robbery and aggravated assault. More recently, in early June, a video surfaced showing a man claiming to be Massey asserting his innocence. In the footage, he held what appeared to be an affidavit allegedly signed by his ex-girlfriend, Diamond White, recanting her previous abuse allegations against him. He even appealed to Lil Wayne for help, adding an unusual twist to an already high-profile case.

White has since been arrested for allegedly aiding Massey after his escape, as confirmed by Louisiana State Police on May 26. However, she has not commented publicly on the claims or affidavit mentioned in the video.

With Massey now back in custody, attention turns to Derrick Groves, the final escapee still on the loose. Groves was convicted in October 2023 for the 2018 murders of two individuals, a case that shook local communities. He also later pleaded guilty to assaulting a corrections officer, increasing concerns over his potential danger to the public.

At a Friday press conference, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick issued a direct message to Groves, urging him to surrender as the manhunt continues. As law enforcement tightens its search, the city remains on high alert, hoping for a swift and safe resolution to one of the most significant jailbreaks in recent Louisiana history.