9th Escaped New Orleans Inmate Captured: Sheriff’s Office Reports, But One Still on the Run!

Antoine Massey, a frequent escape artist, was caught in New Orleans on June 30 after fleeing from jail just weeks earlier. He was one of ten inmates to break out of the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, using stolen materials and tools to get through cell walls.

Massey’s capture happened in a rental house in the Hollygrove neighborhood. A tip led the authorities to him, and the arrest was peaceful, according to Deputy US Marshal Brian Fair.

Massey, 33, has a long history of trouble with the law, including recent charges of vehicle theft and domestic abuse. Back in 2007, he escaped a juvenile detention center while facing serious charges. His past raises questions about how he keeps finding ways to break free.

Interestingly, a video surfaced earlier this month where a man claiming to be Massey expressed his innocence. In the video, he reached out to the rapper Lil Wayne for help, saying that his ex-girlfriend had recanted her accusations. His ex-girlfriend, Diamond White, was later arrested for allegedly aiding in his escape.

Despite the success in capturing Massey, one inmate, Derrick Groves, is still at large. Groves was involved in a 2018 double homicide and had previously attacked a corrections officer. New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick made a direct appeal to him during a conference, urging him to turn himself in peacefully.

A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Groves’ capture. The police are confident they can find him just as they found Massey. Chief Deputy US Marshal Walter Martin stated that the authorities will continue their efforts until all escapees are in custody.

This situation sheds light on broader issues in the criminal justice system, especially regarding inmate management. In 2021, a report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics stated that roughly 30% of all jail inmates have prior escape attempts. Such statistics highlight the challenge law enforcement faces when dealing with repeated offenders.

Massey’s arrest and Groves’ ongoing flight raise serious questions about jail security, inmate rehabilitation, and public safety. The community remains on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to the search for Groves.

For more information on the state of corrections and crime in New Orleans, you can visit the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

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