Last New Orleans jail escapee captured in Atlanta
After a five-month manhunt, Derrick Groves — whom officials say was a ringleader in the May 16 New Orleans jail breakout — was captured shortly after 2 p.m. ET in southwest Atlanta near Delowe Drive SW and W Cedar Lane SW after U.S. Marshals and Atlanta Police SWAT, acting on a Crime Stoppers tip, forced him from a narrow reinforced crawl space with gas; he was taken into custody without injury, booked in Fulton County and is expected to be extradited to Louisiana. New Orleans officials, including DA Jason Williams who called the escape a “historic failure of custodial security,” say at least 16 people (including former jail employee Darriana Burton) face charges for aiding the fugitives amid scrutiny of jail design and staffing flaws.
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📌 Key Facts
- Derrick Groves, the last remaining escapee from the May 16 New Orleans jail breakout, was captured shortly after 2 p.m. ET Wednesday near Delowe Drive SW & W Cedar Lane SW in southwest Atlanta; officers found him hiding in a narrow, reinforced crawl space in the home’s basement after deploying gas several times, and he was taken into custody without injury and no weapons were recovered.
- The arrest was carried out by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force alongside Atlanta Police SWAT; Louisiana marshals pushed the lead to Georgia counterparts after a Crime Stoppers Greater New Orleans tip earlier this summer pointed investigators to the Atlanta area, Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair said.
- Officials say Groves is believed to have been a ringleader in the jailbreak; investigators detailed the escape method as removing a cell door from its tracks, removing a toilet, creating a hole in a wall and scaling a fence to get out.
- Groves was booked in Fulton County, Georgia on fugitive-from-justice charges and is expected to be extradited to Louisiana, with Louisiana State Police likely to lead the transfer.
- At least 16 people — including former jail employee Darriana Burton — face charges for aiding the fugitives (alleged roles include providing transport, food, shelter and cash); Burton is accused of helping coordinate calls to evade jail monitoring. Separately, nine other escapees pleaded not guilty to "simple escape" charges in July.
- New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams called the escape a "historic failure of custodial security" and vowed to "pursue every available legal avenue," while Sheriff Susan Hutson has pointed to jail design and staffing flaws as key factors in the breakout.
📰 Sources (3)
How escaped New Orleans inmate Derrick Groves was captured after 5 months
New information:
- Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair says a Crime Stoppers Greater New Orleans tip earlier this summer pointed investigators toward the Atlanta area.
- Groves was found hiding in a narrow, reinforced crawl space in the home’s basement after officers deployed gas multiple times.
- Arrest executed by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force with Atlanta Police SWAT; Louisiana marshals pushed the lead to Georgia counterparts.
- Arrest time was shortly after 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday; Groves was taken into custody without injury and no weapons were recovered.
- Groves was booked in Fulton County, Georgia on fugitive-from-justice charges and is expected to be extradited to Louisiana; Louisiana State Police likely to lead the transfer.
- Officials reiterated Groves is believed to have been a ringleader in the May 16 jailbreak and detailed the escape method (cell door off tracks, toilet removed, hole in wall, fence scaled).
Escaped New Orleans inmate Derrick Groves captured after standoff in Atlanta, police say
New information:
- Precise capture location given: near Delowe Drive SW & W Cedar Lane SW in southwest Atlanta.
- New on-record quote from New Orleans DA Jason Williams labeling the escape a 'historic failure of custodial security' and pledging to 'pursue every available legal avenue.'
- Added background that at least 16 people — including a former jail employee, Darriana Burton — face charges for aiding fugitives (transport, food, shelter, cash), with Burton accused of helping coordinate calls to evade jail monitoring.
- Context that nine other escapees pleaded not guilty to 'simple escape' charges in July, with names listed.
- Sheriff Susan Hutson’s previously reported assessment of jail design and staffing flaws reiterated as factors in the breakout.