After five months on the run, the escaped New Orleans inmate Derrick Groves has been captured in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn how Louisiana State Police tracked him down, what went wrong at the Orleans Parish Justice Center, and what’s next for the high-profile fugitive.
Escaped New Orleans Inmate Captured After 5 Months on the Run
The escaped New Orleans inmate captured by authorities after a months-long chase has finally brought closure to one of Louisiana’s most daring jailbreaks in recent history. Derrick Groves, a 28-year-old convicted murderer, was found hiding in a crawl space in Atlanta, Georgia, ending a five-month manhunt that stretched across state lines and drew national attention.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Groves was the last remaining escapee from the group of ten inmates who broke out of the Orleans Parish Justice Center in May. With his capture, Louisiana State Police have officially declared all ten fugitives accounted for.
How the Escape Happened
In May 2025, ten inmates at the Orleans Parish Justice Center orchestrated an elaborate escape by removing a metal toilet from the wall and breaking through a weak section of the prison’s infrastructure. The escaped New Orleans inmate captured this week, Derrick Groves, was one of the main figures in the jailbreak.
Once the inmates broke through, they climbed down a maintenance shaft and made their way across a nearby highway under cover of darkness. Authorities later discovered graffiti above the broken wall with messages taunting officers—phrases like “To Easy LoL” and a smiley face that mocked the system’s vulnerability.
📊 Table 1: Timeline of the Orleans Parish Jail Escape
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Jailbreak occurs | 10 inmates flee after breaking wall behind toilet |
| May 2025 (24 hours later) | First captures | 3 inmates recaptured in Louisiana |
| June–August 2025 | Continued manhunt | 6 more fugitives captured across several states |
| October 2025 | Final capture | Derrick Groves found in Atlanta crawl space |
Who Is Derrick Groves?
Derrick Groves, now known as the escaped New Orleans inmate captured, had been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder and attempted murder after a 2024 shooting at a Mardi Gras block party that left two people dead.
Groves was convicted in October 2024 and faced a federal firearms charge in addition to state convictions. His history of violence and resourcefulness made him a priority target for the US Marshals Service and Louisiana State Police.
When he escaped in May, Groves was considered extremely dangerous and potentially armed. Authorities feared he could leave the state or attempt to flee the country.
How Police Captured the Escaped New Orleans Inmate
The manhunt reached a dramatic conclusion in Atlanta, Georgia, where a tip led Deputy US Marshal Brian Fair and his team to a house believed to be harboring Groves. When law enforcement arrived, the house appeared empty, but investigators remained cautious.
After releasing gas canisters into the building, officers discovered Groves hiding in a crawl space beneath the basement. The escaped New Orleans inmate captured had constructed a reinforced hiding area, showing clear planning and survival instincts.
“He put some thought and work into the hiding space,” said Marshal Fair. “We had concerns he might not even be there—but we found him.”
📊 Table 2: Key Agencies Involved in the Capture
| Agency | Role in the Operation |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State Police | Led statewide investigation |
| US Marshals Service | Tracked fugitive across state lines |
| Atlanta Police Department | Assisted with local search and arrest |
| Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office | Coordinated extradition and custody transfer |
Security and Staffing Failures Exposed
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson later admitted that the jailbreak was the result of a “perfect storm” — a combination of staff shortages, structural flaws, and poor surveillance.
The escaped New Orleans inmate captured was able to exploit these weaknesses along with his fellow inmates. The sheriff’s office has since launched a review of security systems, including motion sensors, camera blind spots, and cell inspections.
Hutson told CBS News,
“The escape exposed serious vulnerabilities in our facilities. We’re taking corrective actions to ensure this never happens again.”
The Long Road to Capture
For five months, the search for Groves crossed multiple jurisdictions and required extensive coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement.
- May–June: The first wave of arrests happened within Louisiana.
- July–August: Several fugitives were caught in neighboring states including Texas and Mississippi.
- September–October: Intelligence suggested Groves had fled east toward Georgia.
When the escaped New Orleans inmate captured news broke, officials confirmed that Groves would face new charges related to the jailbreak, including escape from custody and destruction of public property.
Legal Consequences for Groves
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced that Groves will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for his escape. He is expected to be extradited back to Louisiana within days.
His additional charges could add decades of imprisonment—although Groves is already serving a life sentence. Still, prosecutors argue that accountability is necessary to deter future escape attempts.
📊 Table 3: Legal Overview of Derrick Groves’ Charges
| Charge | Description | Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Second-degree murder | Shooting during Mardi Gras block party | Life imprisonment |
| Attempted murder | Injured multiple victims | 30 years concurrent |
| Federal firearms charge | Illegal possession of assault rifle | 10 years federal sentence |
| Escape from custody | Orleans Parish jail escape | Additional pending |
| Destruction of property | Breaking prison wall infrastructure | Pending |
Impact on the Louisiana Justice System
The jailbreak has raised serious questions about prison infrastructure, funding, and training in Louisiana. The escaped New Orleans inmate captured incident exposed how aging facilities and overworked staff can combine to create dangerous opportunities for inmates.
A state audit is now underway to assess other correctional centers for similar vulnerabilities. Public confidence in the Orleans Parish Justice Center remains shaken, prompting demands for reform and modernization.
National Reaction and Public Safety Concerns
The case received widespread attention from national outlets including CBS News, BBC, and CNN, highlighting how inmate escapes remain a public safety risk.
The escaped New Orleans inmate captured in Atlanta underscores the importance of cross-state collaboration among police departments and federal agencies. Social media reactions were a mix of relief and frustration—relief that Groves was caught, and frustration that such a massive breach occurred in the first place.
Extradition and What Comes Next
Groves is currently in the custody of the Atlanta Police Department awaiting extradition to Louisiana. Once returned, he will undergo a disciplinary hearing and face new felony charges.
Authorities will also interview him about the escape logistics, as they suspect he may have had outside help. The escaped New Orleans inmate captured could offer critical details about the planning and execution of the jailbreak.
Law Enforcement Lessons Learned
The capture operation revealed valuable lessons about communication gaps, intelligence sharing, and inmate monitoring. Louisiana officials have pledged to overhaul protocols and improve interagency coordination to prevent future incidents.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
Public interest in the escaped New Orleans inmate captured story remains high. The case has sparked debates on social media about criminal rehabilitation, prison reform, and law enforcement accountability.
Several advocacy groups are urging the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to invest in updated infrastructure and mental health programs for inmates to reduce desperation-driven escapes.
Conclusion escaped New Orleans inmate captured
The escaped New Orleans inmate captured after five months represents both a victory for law enforcement and a wake-up call for Louisiana’s correctional system. The incident exposed severe weaknesses in prison security but also showcased the resilience and dedication of investigators who worked tirelessly to bring Derrick Groves back into custody.
His capture closes one chapter of the Orleans Parish jailbreak saga but opens another—focused on reform, responsibility, and the future of inmate management in Louisiana.
❓ FAQs About the Escaped New Orleans Inmate Captured
Q1. Who was the escaped New Orleans inmate captured by police?
A: Derrick Groves, a 28-year-old convicted murderer, was the inmate captured after escaping the Orleans Parish Justice Center in May 2025.
Q2. How did the inmates escape from the New Orleans jail?
A: The inmates removed a toilet, broke through a weak wall, and fled through a maintenance shaft before running across a nearby highway.
Q3. Where was the escaped inmate captured?
A: Groves was found in Atlanta, Georgia, hiding in a crawl space inside a house after a brief standoff with police.
Q4. How long was the inmate on the run?
A: He was on the run for approximately five months before being caught.
Q5. What charges will he face now?
A: In addition to his life sentence for murder, Groves faces charges for escape from custody and destruction of property.