Derrick Groves Jail Escape: How the Last New Orleans Fugitive Was Captured

Derrick Groves, the last inmate from the 2025 New Orleans jail escape, has been captured after months on the run. Learn how he escaped and what followed.

Orleans Parish Jail security flaws came under fire after the 2025 escape.

Derrick Groves Jail Escape Overview
In May 2025, ten inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans. The jailbreak exposed major flaws in the prison’s security system. Among the escapees was Derrick Groves, a convicted murderer. His escape triggered a nationwide manhunt that lasted nearly five months.

Groves was finally captured on October 8, 2025, ending one of Louisiana’s longest manhunts in years.

Police launched a massive manhunt across multiple states after the jailbreak.

Who Is Derrick Groves
Derrick Groves, aged 28, was convicted in 2024 for a deadly shooting at a Mardi Gras block party in New Orleans. Two people were killed, and several others were wounded.
He faced life imprisonment without parole for murder and other violent crimes. Reports also linked him to another manslaughter case from earlier years.

Inmates used weak plumbing fixtures to break through a wall and escape.

How Derrick Groves Escaped Jail
The jailbreak happened on May 16, 2025.

• Inmates removed a toilet and sink unit from their cell.
• They crawled through a hole behind the fixture.
• Once outside, they scaled a damaged barbed-wire fence.

Investigators later revealed serious maintenance failures in the facility. Some staff were accused of turning off the water system, making it easier for the inmates to remove fixtures. Groves’ girlfriend, a former jail employee, was also investigated for possible involvement.

The Manhunt for Derrick Groves
Most of the escaped inmates were caught within weeks. Derrick Groves stayed hidden.
Authorities believe he received help from friends and family in Louisiana and Georgia. The U.S. Marshals Service offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

During the search, law enforcement traced multiple sightings and phone signals. Despite heavy media coverage, Groves managed to stay ahead of investigators until early October.

Groves was found hiding under a house in Atlanta, Georgia.

Derrick Groves Captured in Atlanta
On October 8, 2025, officers located Groves in Atlanta, Georgia. He was found hiding in a crawl space under a house. He was arrested without resistance and returned to Louisiana under high security.

He now faces new charges related to the escape and aiding and abetting, in addition to his life sentence for murder.

Impact on Orleans Parish Jail
The escape exposed weak points in the Orleans Parish Jail system.

• Faulty infrastructure such as broken locks and corroded pipes.
• Poor supervision and delayed inmate counts.
• Possible insider help and procedural lapses.

Officials promised major reforms after the incident. The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office announced plans for upgraded surveillance, better cell inspections, and stricter staff background checks.

Jail officials promised better surveillance and monitoring after the breakout.

Key Lessons from the Derrick Groves Jail Escape

• Regular maintenance and security checks prevent infrastructure-based escapes.
• Jail staff must undergo tighter background verification.
• Communication between state and federal law enforcement improves manhunt speed.
• Transparency in prison management builds public trust.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is Derrick Groves?
Derrick Groves is a convicted murderer from New Orleans. He was serving a life sentence for a deadly shooting at a Mardi Gras block party before escaping jail in 2025.

When did Derrick Groves escape from jail?
He escaped from the Orleans Parish Jail on May 16, 2025, along with nine other inmates.

How did Derrick Groves escape?
Groves and other inmates removed a toilet and sink from their cell, crawled through a hole in the wall, and climbed over a damaged barbed-wire fence.

How long was Derrick Groves on the run?
He remained a fugitive for nearly five months before being captured in October 2025.

Where was Derrick Groves captured?
Authorities found him hiding under a house in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 8, 2025.

What charges does Derrick Groves face now?
Along with his life sentence for murder, Groves faces additional charges for escaping custody and for any individuals who helped him.

What changes followed the jailbreak?
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office began reviewing jail procedures, improving surveillance systems, and strengthening staff oversight to prevent future escapes.