Derrick Groves, the last New Orleans jail inmate who broke out in viral escape, in custody months later

The final inmate involved in a significant jailbreak from the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans has been apprehended. Derrick Groves, 28, was captured in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday after being evaded for nearly five months. Groves had previously been convicted of murder and faced a potential life sentence prior to the escape.

In May, Groves and nine other inmates escaped the facility by crawling through a hole behind a toilet and scaling a barbed-wire fence. Their escape was discovered during a headcount the following morning. U.S. Marshals had offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Groves’ capture. Authorities reported that Groves was found hiding in a crawl space, and a brief standoff occurred before his arrest by the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force and Atlanta police.

All ten escapees are charged with simple escape, in addition to previous criminal charges. Previous reports indicated that Groves had the most violent criminal record among the group, and the jailbreak was described as one of the largest in recent U.S. history. A maintenance worker has been arrested for allegedly aiding the escape by disabling a toilet, though he asserts he was merely performing maintenance duties.

• Why it matters:
  • This incident raises concerns regarding security protocols and management at correctional facilities.
  • Potential implications for businesses involved in prison operations and security technology.
• The latest:
  • Groves’ mother expressed her emotional response to his arrest, highlighting the personal impact of this situation.