Who is Derrick Groves? How was he captured? Here’s what to know

After months of an intense manhunt that spanned multiple states, authorities finally captured escaped inmate Derrick Groves in southwest Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon. U.S. Marshal Brian Fair confirmed that Groves, who had been on the run for nearly five months, was discovered hiding in a crawl space beneath a house on Honeysuckle Street after officers deployed gas into the property several times. His arrest marked the end of a sweeping search and the capture of the final fugitive involved in one of Louisiana’s most notorious jailbreaks.

According to Fair, the operation was a coordinated effort involving the Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the U.S. Marshal’s Office in New Orleans, and tips provided through Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans, Inc. Their joint collaboration ultimately led to Groves being taken back into custody without any reported injuries.

Groves, 28, had been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder after being convicted in 2024 for a fatal shooting during a Mardi Gras block party that left two people dead and several others injured. He was also serving additional sentences for two counts of manslaughter in a separate case. His criminal record, which prosecutors described as “brutal and unrelenting,” made his escape in May a matter of grave concern for both the justice system and the general public.

The mass escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center on May 16, 2025, saw ten inmates flee custody in what authorities have labeled one of the most serious security breaches in Louisiana’s correctional history. While nine of the fugitives were recaptured within weeks, Groves managed to evade authorities, prompting nationwide alerts and intense pressure on law enforcement agencies to bring him in.

Following his arrest, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams released a statement emphasizing the significance of Groves’ capture. Williams described the escape as a “historic failure of custodial security” and a “deep wound” to the victims and witnesses affected by Groves’ previous crimes. “His arrest restores a sense of calm and reassurance,” Williams said, “especially for the families and individuals who suffered at his hands. We will use every legal means to ensure that he faces full accountability for all his actions.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also commended the law enforcement agencies involved, pledging that Groves would face additional charges for his role in orchestrating the jailbreak. “This arrest closes a dark chapter,” Murrill said. “Derrick Groves will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. My gratitude goes to the U.S. Marshals, Atlanta authorities, and our own investigators at the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation who never gave up on this case.”

While officials celebrated the successful operation, the emotional toll on Groves’ family was evident. His mother, Stephanie Groves, expressed her distress upon learning of her son’s capture through online reports. “I just woke up and saw it on the internet,” she said tearfully. “I’ve been worried about him every single day and just wanted him to surrender peacefully. I didn’t know where he was or why he went to Atlanta. It’s been chaos, but I’m relieved it’s finally over. Of course, I knew he’d be caught eventually.”

Federal investigators have long suspected that Groves received outside assistance during and after his escape. Among those arrested in connection to the breakout is Darriana Burton, a former jail employee and Groves’ girlfriend, who has been charged with aiding and abetting the escape. Authorities believe Burton’s involvement played a key role in helping Groves stay hidden for months.

With Groves now back in custody, the five-month ordeal that gripped Louisiana and parts of the South has finally come to a close. For law enforcement officials, his capture represents both a victory and a reminder of the systemic failures that made the daring jailbreak possible — a cautionary tale for correctional institutions across the country.