Former jail employee charged for helping inmate escape

In Louisiana, on May 16, 2023, a major jailbreak occurred at the Orleans Justice Center, resulting in the escape of ten inmates, including Derrick Groves, a convicted murderer. The group orchestrated their escape through a series of actions that involved manipulating a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole, and scaling a barbed wire fence—all while a lone guard was away getting food. This escape went unnoticed for several hours until an officer conducted a headcount the following morning. Subsequently, authorities recaptured eight of the inmates, but two remained at large, including Groves and Antoine Massey, who faces serious charges of rape, kidnapping, and domestic violence. The investigation led to the arrest of Darriana Burton, a 28-year-old former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, on conspiracy charges related to the escape. Burton had a previous working relationship with the jail, having been employed there from August 2022 until her termination in March 2023 after allegations surfaced about her bringing contraband into the facility. Burton and Groves reportedly shared an on-again, off-again relationship, confirmed by investigation reports. Just days before the jailbreak, Groves allegedly contacted Burton via a FaceTime video call, which investigators claimed was a pivotal part of the plot to coordinate the escape. Burton was reported to have assisted in planning the escape by facilitating communication between Groves and individuals outside the jail, further inculpating her in the conspiracy. Authorities expressed a strong commitment to pursuing all individuals connected to the jailbreak, with an emphasis on bringing Groves and Massey back into custody. The security failure at the Orleans Justice Center prompted scrutiny of jail operations, raising concerns about staff integrity and the proper protocols needed to prevent such incidents in the future. The extent of the investigation also revealed that at least 16 individuals were arrested in connection to the escape, including others outside the jail premises who allegedly assisted the escapees. The Louisiana Attorney General promised that all those involved would face prosecution, underscoring the significance of maintaining law enforcement integrity and public safety.