Authorities arrest fugitive who police say posted on social media
following New Orleans jailbreak
[June 28, 2025]
By JIM MUSTIAN and JACK BROOK
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana authorities captured on Friday one of the
10 men who escaped from a New Orleans jail six weeks ago and who police
say released videos on social media while still on the run.
Antoine Massey, 33, was taken into custody at a residence in New Orleans
about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from the jail, said New Orleans Police
Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
“He actually walked out of a home peacefully,” Kirkpatrick said. “He
peacefully gave up to law enforcement who had surrounded the house.”
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said she had received a tip Friday
morning and immediately notified other law enforcement authorities, who
arrested Massey by midafternoon.
Louisiana State Police Superintendent Robert Hodges said authorities
were still investigating how Massey was able to stay at the residence
where he was recaptured.
“It’s pretty obvious over the last six weeks to remain a fugitive that
long, he had assistance, he had help,” Hodges said.
Authorities had recently investigated social media posts by a man who
identified himself as Massey and earlier this month raided a New Orleans
home where they believed the videos were produced but did not find him.
“Great work by all our law enforcement partners who have been working so
hard for this outcome,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said
after Massey's capture Friday. “One more to go!”
Authorities are still searching for convicted murderer Derrick Groves.
Police previously captured the other eight escapees following the May 16
jailbreak, one of the largest in recent U.S. history. Authorities said
the men yanked open a faulty cell door inside the New Orleans jail,
squeezed through a hole behind a toilet, scaled a barbed-wire fence and
fled into the dark.
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This image provided by Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, shows inmate
Antoine Massey. (Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office via AP, File)
The men's absence wasn’t discovered until a morning headcount, hours
after they bolted for freedom. Authorities found a message drawn
around the hole the men used to escape: an arrow pointing at the gap
and the words “To Easy LoL.”
Officials have pointed to multiple security lapses in the jail, but
authorities remain adamant that the men also had likely had help. A
maintenance worker at the jail was arrested for allegedly helping
the men escape by turning off the water to the toilet where the hole
was cut behind. His lawyer says he has denied knowingly aiding them.
Massey faced charges of rape, kidnapping, domestic violence
involving strangulation and violation of a protective order,
authorities in nearby St. Tammany Parish said. In Orleans Parish, he
faced charges of motor vehicle theft and domestic battery.
Murrill said Massey will face additional charges for his role in the
escape.
A woman police identified as being in an on-again, off-again
relationship with Massey was arrested and charged with obstruction
of justice and as a principal to aggravated escape, court records
show. Authorities said the woman knew of Massey’s escape plans
beforehand, communicated with him afterward and misled authorities.
A $50,000 reward remains for tips leading to Groves’ recapture,
authorities said.
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Mustian reported from Miami.
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