Antoine Massey, one of the last two escapees from a New Orleans jailbreak last month, has been recaptured after evading authorities for six weeks.
The 33-year-old was taken into custody on Friday evening at a residence in New Orleans, as confirmed by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Law enforcement was tipped off by a citizen who informed Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, leading them to the location in the city’s Third District.
New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick reported that Massey surrendered peacefully as law enforcement surrounded the house.
The residence where he was found is identified as an Airbnb.
Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges indicated that authorities are investigating possible individuals who may have assisted Massey during his time as a fugitive.
It’s evident that Massey had help, given the duration of his evasion, Hodges stated.
Earlier this month, a video surfaced online that allegedly showed Massey pleading for help from rappers and President Donald Trump while still on the run.
Sheriff Hutson expressed gratitude towards the community and law enforcement collaborators for their role in capturing Massey.
The sheriff emphasized, “Together, we made this happen, and I’m grateful.”
Upon his capture, Massey was set to be transported to a “secure state correctional facility outside of the area” according to a Louisiana State Police press release.
At the time of his escape, Massey was incarcerated due to domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, theft of a motor vehicle, and a parole violation.
Authorities warned that additional charges could follow in connection to the escape.
Massey was among ten inmates who escaped the Orleans Justice Center last month, prompting a widespread manhunt.
Derrick Groves remains the final escapee that has yet to be recaptured.
During the briefing, Kirkpatrick addressed Groves directly, saying, “We are going to capture you. You will be taken into custody. But you still have the option to peacefully turn yourself in, and we will make an appeal to you to do so.”
Kirkpatrick emphasized the preference for all captures to occur without violence.
Authorities had increased the reward to $50,000 for information leading to the arrests of both Massey and Groves, signaling their commitment to finding the fugitives.
Groves, who was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder in a 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting, faces a life sentence without the chance of parole.
Furthermore, he has pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter in unrelated cases, according to online court records.
This month, Groves’ girlfriend, Darriana Burton, was arrested for allegedly assisting in Groves’ escape.
Investigators stated that she played a vital role in planning the jailbreak, conveying escape-related information, and facilitating communication between Groves and individuals outside the jail.
The inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, climbing through a hole behind a toilet.
Their absence went unnoticed for several hours, leading to the initiation of an extensive manhunt.
In the first 24 hours following the breakout, three of the ten inmates were apprehended in New Orleans, while additional captures occurred in the following days, including in Baton Rouge and Texas.
Sheriff Hutson confirmed Friday that the sheriff’s office continues to enhance the security of the jail in response to the escape by implementing measures such as new razor wire, improving physical barriers, and upgrading locking mechanisms.
These security upgrades are crucial for ensuring the safety of residents, jail staff, and the broader community.
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