Last Fugitive from Notorious Louisiana Jailbreak Captured in Atlanta

Sat Oct 11 2025 01:29:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Derrick Groves, the final inmate to escape from a major Louisiana prison break, has been apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Atlanta after nearly five months on the run.

After a dramatic May jailbreak from a New Orleans prison that saw ten men flee through a meticulously crafted escape route, Derrick Groves has finally been captured in Atlanta. Groves, sentenced for murder, evaded capture for almost five months, prompting authorities to issue a $50,000 reward for leads on his whereabouts. Following his arrest, Groves' mother expressed her relief but concern for her son's health, indicating the turmoil his escape has caused for their family. Following the jailbreak, nine other escapees were recaptured within six weeks, raising questions about the security of the prison and potential inside assistance.

ATLANTA (AP) — The notorious jailbreak that rattled Louisiana is finally wrapped up as U.S. Marshals announced the capture of Derrick Groves, the lone remaining fugitive from a May prison break that saw ten inmates escape a New Orleans facility.

Groves, arrested on Wednesday after hiding in a crawl space of an Atlanta home for almost five months, was confirmed in custody by Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair. Authorities had been actively searching for him, offering a substantial reward of $50,000 for information leading to his recapture.

“He was hiding pretty well,” Fair said. “It appears he was the only one in this house.” Groves, who had been convicted for murder and was facing a life sentence, represents a severe case of violent crime among the escapees, prompting a nationwide manhunt.

As Groves’s mother, Stephanie Groves, reacted to the news of his arrest with mixed emotions, she expressed fears for her son’s safety and offered a desire for him to surrender peacefully. “I woke up to it on the internet,” she lamented, confirming that she had lost touch with him since the escape.

The jailbreak itself was notable for its brazen execution — the men managed to pry open a faulty cell door, slip through a hole behind a toilet, and navigate a barbed-wire fence to flee into the night. Their escape went undetected until a routine headcount the following morning.

In the wake of the escape, officials have pointed to glaring lapses in security protocols at the jail, with reports suggesting that inmates might have had inside assistance. A maintenance worker has been arrested under suspicion of aiding the escape, while a former employee is alleged to have coordinated the escape plan.

As law enforcement tracked down the other nine escapees in the weeks following their breakout, Groves's prolonged evasion sparked a multifaceted investigation engaging hundreds of officers. Many of the other escapees found themselves captured close to home, in Louisiana, while Groves found refuge in Atlanta.

Now recaptured, Groves and the others will face additional charges related to their escape, adding yet another layer to consequences already shaped by their original crimes. Each of the ten escapees faces charges of simple escape, potentially adding to their prison time, with escapes carrying sentences of two to five years.

Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has faced heavy criticism for her handling of the situation, with an emphasis on improving jail security to prevent future breaches. The escape has sparked discussions on reforming prison infrastructure to safeguard against similar incidents.