Last Orleans -Prison Escapee caught: Derrick Groves arrested after 5 months in Atlanta

Derrick Groves, the last of ten prisoners who escaped from Orleans Justice Center in May, was captured in Atlanta according to several news reports. Groves, who is serving life in prison for murder, remained flight for almost five months after fleeing a hole behind a toilet. Derrick Groves, 31, was convicted of shooting an assault rifle in a Mardi Gras block party who killed and wounded two men, and had manslaughter and convictions for drug trafficking in advance. (Beeld: x) The authorities have recaptured Derrick “Woo” Groves, the last of ten prisoners who performed a prison sentence of the Orleans Justice Center in May. Groves, 31, was arrested in Atlanta after an alleged stance with local police on Wednesday (October 8), with several reports declared with reference to law enforcement sources. High-profile Escape Groves and nine others broke from New Orleans Prison on May 16, 2025, by removing a toilet from a cell where water was cut off by pushing a hole into the wall and scaling a barbed wire fence. Supervision material captured the group at night. The escape became unnoticed to a morning head count. On the wall above the escape hole, officials found a ghostly message: “To easy lol.” Nine prisoners were captured within weeks. However, Groves managed to stay large for almost five months, aided by a network of supporters. Violent criminal history Groves served life in prison for second-degree murder, who was convicted in 2024 for firing an assault rifle in a Mardi Grasblock Party, killing two men and injuring several others. He also pleaded guilty to manslaughter in two separate shooting and had a history of drug trafficking and violent crime. Prosecutors say witnesses in his business have been repeatedly threatened or intimidated to silence. According to reports, Groves fell out of school in the ninth class and became involved in heroin trading in the ninth ward. His criminal record began at 17, when he was charged with attempted murder, but later acquitted. The alleged inside investigators say that a former prison employee, who became Groves’ girlfriend while in prison, helped him coordinate the escape by arranging unmarried phone calls. She is one of at least 16 people – many family members of the refugees – who have been charged with the escape by providing shelter, transport, food and cash.