Manhunt for Escaped Orleans Parish Inmates Enters Fourth Week
Ongoing Search for Escapees
The manhunt for two inmates who escaped from the Orleans Parish jail during a daring jailbreak in May is now in its fourth week, with authorities still actively pursuing 27-year-old Derrick Groves and 32-year-old Antoine Massey. To date, no arrests have been made since Memorial Day, and a reward of $50,000 is being offered for any information leading to their capture.
Arrest of an Accomplice
Adding complexity to the investigation, Darriana Burton, 28, the girlfriend of Groves and a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, was taken into custody last week. She faces a felony charge of conspiracy to commit a simple escape, based on allegations that she was involved in discussions about the jailbreak via FaceTime with Groves and another accomplice. According to police records, Burton also allegedly aided another escapee, Lenton Vanburen, 26, by driving him to a house in New Orleans East on the day of the escape.
Burton was previously terminated from her position with the Sheriff’s Office as part of a crackdown on employees involved in contraband activities.
Public Appeals and Warnings
In an effort to bring the escapees to justice, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick addressed the media, urging both Groves and Massey to surrender. “Their arrests are inevitable,” she stated during a Wednesday press conference. Kirkpatrick also appealed directly to the families and friends of the fugitives, highlighting the substantial $100,000 bounty available for information leading to their arrests. "It’s life-changing," she noted, assuring that any information provided would be treated confidentially.
Kirkpatrick also extend support to Massey, who faces prior charges including car theft and domestic abuse, offering to arrange legal representation should he choose to turn himself in.
Political Repercussions for Sheriff Hutson
In the wake of the escape, Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson has come under intense scrutiny, with her approval rating reportedly dipping below 20%. The fallout took a dramatic turn when Council President JP Morrell posted a video on social media displaying a set of keys he claimed were linked to the jail, accusing Hutson of negligence in losing them. Hutson countered these claims by calling Morrell’s assertions "misinformation," clarifying that the keys were not for the accused lockup.
As the investigation continues, the community remains on high alert, hoping for a swift resolution to the unsettling case.
Developing updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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