Two dangerous prisoners remain at large following New Orleans jailbreak
- Ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans on May 16, 2023, using a hole created behind a toilet.
- Three escapees have been captured, but two are still at large and considered armed and dangerous.
- Authorities have increased the reward to $50,000 each for information leading to the capture of the remaining fugitives.
In the United States, a significant jailbreak occurred at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans on May 16, 2023. Ten inmates escaped the facility through an elaborate plan that involved creating a hole behind a metal toilet located in a handicapped cell. This escape was facilitated by apparent lapses in security, which included faulty locks and potential insider assistance. An inmate maintenance worker reportedly played a crucial role by shutting off the water supply, allowing inmates to dismantle the toilet unnoticed. Following the escape, a massive manhunt was launched that spanned across multiple states. As a result of the intense search efforts, three out of ten escapees, Lenton Vanburen, Leo Tate, and Jermaine Donald, were recaptured by law enforcement in separate operations. The captured inmates were arrested in different locations, with some taken back into custody in Texas. As of May 30, authorities confirmed that eight of the ten escapees had been apprehended. However, two fugitives, Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves, remain on the run and are considered armed and dangerous by the law enforcement community. Antoine Massey, 33, has an extensive history of escapes dating back to at least 2007, indicating he is no stranger to being on the run. He was initially held at the Orleans Justice Center on charges including second-degree murder and possession of a weapon. Derrick Groves, 27, was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder from an incident on Mardi Gras Day 2018 and was awaiting trial on additional serious charges. Both men are likely receiving assistance from unspecified individuals as they continue to evade capture. In a bid to facilitate their return to custody, Louisiana authorities have increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of Massey and Groves to $50,000 each. This increment from a previous $20,000 reflects the urgency and seriousness of their situations. Law enforcement officials are optimistic about their progress, stating that some strong leads have emerged regarding the fugitives' whereabouts. Investigators continue to follow up on tips and have emphasized that anyone assisting the escapees will be prosecuted, reinforcing a strong message about the rule of law and community safety.