UPDATE: A five-month manhunt for Derrick Groves, the last of ten inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail, has ended in Atlanta. Authorities confirmed that Groves was arrested shortly after 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, following a tip that led federal law enforcement to a crawl space in a residential home.
In a coordinated effort involving the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Atlanta Police Department SWAT team, Groves was apprehended after extensive investigative work stemming from a Crime Stoppers tip received earlier this summer. Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair reported that they received numerous tips throughout the summer, but the specifics of the information were withheld to protect the informant’s safety.
After weeks of investigation, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a home in Atlanta, where Groves was believed to be hiding. Initially, the house appeared vacant, with no signs of his presence. However, after deploying gas multiple times, officers discovered Groves crouched within a narrow crawl space in the basement. Fair stated, “He appeared prepared to hide for the long haul,” indicating Groves had meticulously reinforced his hiding spot.
Groves, convicted of a 2018 double murder, is suspected of being a ringleader in the brazen jailbreak that occurred on May 16, 2023, when inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center by removing a jail cell door and crawling through a hole in the wall. This incident highlighted severe security flaws in the facility, as noted by Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson earlier this year.
All ten inmates who escaped have now been captured. Fair emphasized the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies, including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and local police departments, which were instrumental in the investigation. Media coverage also played a significant role, keeping Groves in the public eye, which Fair believes contributed to his eventual capture.
Following his arrest, Groves was booked on fugitive from justice charges in Fulton County, Georgia. He is expected to be extradited back to Louisiana, where he will face additional charges related to his escape. Fair confirmed that Louisiana State Police are likely to oversee the transfer.
“We’re just happy nobody got injured,” Fair remarked. “All ten of the escapees are back in custody, and we’re proud of that success.” The investigation into how Groves managed to travel from New Orleans to Atlanta continues, with officials exploring whether he received assistance during his time on the run.
As Groves awaits extradition, authorities are conducting further searches of the residence where he was found, looking for any additional evidence or information related to his escape. The successful capture of Groves marks a significant conclusion to a tense chapter for law enforcement and highlights the importance of public engagement in such cases.
