Atlanta, GA — In a dramatic end to one of the largest jailbreaks in recent U.S. history, Derrick Groves, the last remaining escapee from a notorious May incident in New Orleans, has been captured in Atlanta, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Groves had been on the run for nearly five months after he and nine others made an audacious escape from a local jail, squeezing through a hole behind a toilet and scaling a barbed-wire fence.
Captured in a house, Groves was in hiding, occupying a crawl space before authorities closed in on him. U.S. Marshals officials confirmed that he was apprehended without incident, marking the conclusion of a widespread manhunt that involved hundreds of law enforcement officers and extensive use of technology and tips from the public.
“I’m all messed up, I’m just trying to talk to him,” reacted Groves’ mother, Stephanie Groves, coping with her son’s arrest, which she learned of from online news reports. The family had been under constant surveillance by law enforcement, causing significant distress.
Groves was serving time for second-degree murder. He had a violent criminal history, and authorities had offered a substantial reward for information leading to his recapture. Notably, the other nine escapees had been recaptured within weeks of the breakout, most of them found still within Louisiana’s borders.
The jailbreak itself drew harsh criticism towards the New Orleans jail's management. Following the discovery of the escape, it was revealed that the inmates had left a graffiti message pointing out their exit route, raising questions about security protocols and possible inside aid. The city’s Mayor and Sheriff highlighted systemic failures at the facility that contributed to the incident.
As the final escapee to be caught, Groves now faces additional charges related to the escape, adding to his previous convictions, and his situation continues to unfold amidst ongoing legal proceedings regarding the circumstances of the jailbreak.
Captured in a house, Groves was in hiding, occupying a crawl space before authorities closed in on him. U.S. Marshals officials confirmed that he was apprehended without incident, marking the conclusion of a widespread manhunt that involved hundreds of law enforcement officers and extensive use of technology and tips from the public.
“I’m all messed up, I’m just trying to talk to him,” reacted Groves’ mother, Stephanie Groves, coping with her son’s arrest, which she learned of from online news reports. The family had been under constant surveillance by law enforcement, causing significant distress.
Groves was serving time for second-degree murder. He had a violent criminal history, and authorities had offered a substantial reward for information leading to his recapture. Notably, the other nine escapees had been recaptured within weeks of the breakout, most of them found still within Louisiana’s borders.
The jailbreak itself drew harsh criticism towards the New Orleans jail's management. Following the discovery of the escape, it was revealed that the inmates had left a graffiti message pointing out their exit route, raising questions about security protocols and possible inside aid. The city’s Mayor and Sheriff highlighted systemic failures at the facility that contributed to the incident.
As the final escapee to be caught, Groves now faces additional charges related to the escape, adding to his previous convictions, and his situation continues to unfold amidst ongoing legal proceedings regarding the circumstances of the jailbreak.
