By [Skifultv] News Desk
October 9, 2025 | New Orleans, LA
After nearly five months on the run, authorities have captured Derrick Groves, the final inmate who escaped from the Orleans Parish Prison back in May. The dramatic arrest marks the end of one of the most notorious jailbreaks in recent Louisiana history.
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The Capture
Law enforcement officials confirmed that Groves, 28, was found hiding in a crawl space beneath a home in southwest Atlanta, near Tyler Perry Studios. A multi-agency task force, including the U.S. Marshals Service and local SWAT teams, surrounded the residence after receiving a tip through Crimestoppers.
According to police reports, officers used tear gas and a K-9 unit to flush Groves out of hiding. He was taken into custody without serious injury and booked into the Fulton County Jail, where he awaits extradition back to Louisiana.
Authorities had offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture — $20,000 each from the FBI and Crimestoppers, and $10,000 from the ATF.
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The Jailbreak That Shocked New Orleans
Groves was one of ten inmates who escaped from Orleans Parish Prison on May 16, 2025. The group reportedly removed a toilet and crawled through a hole in the wall before making their way out of the facility.
Within weeks, nine of the ten escapees were recaptured across Louisiana and neighboring states. Groves, however, remained elusive — prompting a months-long manhunt stretching from Louisiana to Georgia.
Investigators say inside help likely played a role in the escape. Several jail employees have been suspended or charged, and Groves’s former girlfriend — a onetime sheriff’s office employee — was arrested in June for allegedly helping him communicate with outside contacts.
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Who Is Derrick Groves?
Before the escape, Groves was serving a life sentence without parole for a 2024 double murder that took place during a Mardi Gras block party shooting in New Orleans. He had also pleaded guilty to manslaughter in two separate cases.
Authorities described Groves as “armed, dangerous, and desperate”, warning the public not to approach him during the months-long search.
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Aftermath and Ongoing Fallout
The Orleans Parish breakout has drawn intense criticism toward Sheriff Susan Hutson and the management of the facility. Investigations have revealed staffing shortages, security lapses, and potential insider complicity that enabled the escape.
District Attorney Jason Williams praised law enforcement for the capture, stating,
> “This arrest brings long-awaited relief to the victims, their families, and to the people of New Orleans. The public can rest easier tonight.”
Officials say Groves will face additional charges for escape and evasion, and more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
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The End of the Manhunt
With Groves now in custody, the five-month search is officially over. Authorities say they are reviewing every step of the jailbreak to ensure such a massive breach never happens again.
“This case was a test of cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies,” said one U.S. Marshal. “And in the end, justice caught up.”
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Sources: AP News, Axios New Orleans, The Guardian
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