The search for Derrick Groves, a 28-year-old inmate who escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center, has finally ended. Louisiana State Police announced his apprehension in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday after a brief standoff. Authorities deployed gas canisters into the residence where Groves was believed to be hiding, leading to his discovery in a crawl space.
Groves was one of ten individuals who made a daring escape in May, creating an opening in a cell wall by dislodging a toilet. They then navigated through a hallway and fled the facility. Sheriff Susan Hutson of Orleans Parish had previously indicated that a combination of staffing shortages and structural weaknesses in the jail contributed to the breakout.
While several inmates were recaptured shortly after the escape, Groves remained at large until his arrest. He had been serving a life sentence for second-degree murder, attempted murder, and federal firearms charges, stemming from a shooting at a Mardi Gras event that resulted in two fatalities.
Groves now faces additional charges related to his escape, with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill vowing to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. He is expected to be extradited back to Louisiana to face these new charges.