Derrick Groves, the last fugitive from the May 2025 jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans, has finally been captured by law enforcement authorities in Atlanta, Georgia, bringing an end to a nationwide manhunt that lasted over five months and drew significant public attention.
The 28-year-old inmate, who was serving a life sentence for his role in a 2024 double homicide during a Mardi Gras block party, had managed to evade capture for months before being tracked to a residential area in southwest Atlanta. According to reports, Groves was found hiding inside a narrow crawl space beneath a home, after authorities received a critical tip that ultimately led to his location.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that a coordinated SWAT operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service, the Atlanta Police Department, and New Orleans law enforcement was launched to apprehend the fugitive. After Groves refused multiple commands to surrender, police deployed tear gas and tactical measures to force him out of the confined space. He was taken into custody without further incident but was described as “resistant and defiant” during the arrest.
Groves’ dramatic escape on May 16, 2025, had sparked outrage and scrutiny over prison security procedures. Alongside nine other inmates, he managed to flee the facility by exploiting a malfunctioning cell door and a hidden passage behind a toilet that led to an unsecured maintenance shaft. Surveillance footage released later showed some of the escapees sprinting across a nearby interstate highway under the cover of night.
In the aftermath of the jailbreak, law enforcement launched one of the largest manhunts in Louisiana’s history. Over the course of several months, all nine other fugitives were located and re-arrested across different states. However, Groves remained elusive, prompting authorities to issue a $50,000 reward for credible information leading to his capture. The breakthrough came after a tip to New Orleans Crimestoppers, which directed investigators to the Atlanta residence where he was hiding.
Following his capture, Groves was immediately transported to Fulton County Jail for temporary detention, pending his extradition back to Louisiana. Officials confirmed that he will face additional charges, including escape from custody, obstruction of justice, and other related offenses stemming from his flight and evasion of arrest.
Authorities have hailed the operation as a major success, emphasizing the collaboration between federal and state agencies and the vital role of public cooperation. “This was an intensive, coordinated effort that demonstrates what can be achieved when communities work hand-in-hand with law enforcement,” said a U.S. Marshals spokesperson. “The capture of Derrick Groves ensures that justice is served and public safety is preserved.”
The daring escape and eventual capture of Derrick Groves have reignited discussions about prison infrastructure vulnerabilities and the need for reform in correctional facility security systems. Officials from Orleans Parish have since pledged to review and upgrade surveillance systems, cell maintenance, and staff protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
With Groves now back in custody, the case officially closes one of the most highly publicized jailbreak investigations in recent U.S. history, marking the end of a tense chapter for both authorities and the public who followed the story closely. His arrest symbolizes a significant victory for law enforcement, reaffirming their resolve to ensure that no fugitive remains beyond the reach of justice.