Final Fugitive From New Orleans Prison Break Apprehended Following Month-Long Manhunt

Final Fugitive From New Orleans Prison Break Apprehended Following Month-Long Manhunt

ATLANTA, GA — After nearly a month on the run, Derrick Groves, the final fugitive from the large-scale jail escape in New Orleans, Louisiana, has been captured. Groves, who was one of 10 inmates to break free from the Orleans Parish Correctional Center in early September, was apprehended by federal and local law enforcement officers during a tense standoff in Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday evening.

Authorities confirmed that Groves, 32, was taken into custody without further incident after an hours-long negotiation that took place at a residential complex on the city’s southwest side. The U.S. Marshals Service, working in coordination with the FBI and Atlanta Police Department, surrounded the area after receiving a credible tip that Groves had been hiding in the city for several days.

According to investigators, Groves had been using an alias and moving between different safe houses since his escape, relying on acquaintances and cash payments to avoid detection. His arrest marks the conclusion of an intensive manhunt that spanned multiple states, with sightings and leads reported in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

“This was an extraordinary effort involving dozens of agencies,” said U.S. Marshal John LeBlanc during a press conference. “Derrick Groves was considered armed and dangerous, and his capture closes a chapter that has kept communities across the Southeast on edge.”

The dramatic New Orleans jailbreak that triggered this pursuit began on September 12, when 10 inmates managed to breach the facility’s security during what officials later described as a “coordinated and premeditated” escape. The inmates reportedly exploited a malfunctioning security door and surveillance blind spots to flee the premises undetected for nearly an hour.

Over the following weeks, law enforcement agencies launched one of the largest fugitive operations in recent Louisiana history. Nine of the escapees were tracked down and captured in various cities across the Gulf region, some after brief chases or shootouts. Groves, however, proved to be the most elusive — and most dangerous — of the group.

Authorities say Groves had a lengthy criminal record, including charges for armed robbery, aggravated assault, and illegal possession of firearms. His history of violence and his ability to evade capture made him a top priority for the task force.

When officers finally located Groves in Atlanta, they moved swiftly but cautiously. Witnesses described a “chaotic but controlled” scene as armored vehicles and tactical teams surrounded the apartment complex. After several tense hours, Groves surrendered peacefully. No injuries were reported.

Following his arrest, Groves was transferred to a secure federal facility, where he awaits extradition back to Louisiana. Officials have confirmed that he will face additional charges, including escape, obstruction of justice, and harboring contraband.

Residents of New Orleans and surrounding communities have expressed both relief and frustration following the news. Many have called for a thorough review of the Orleans Parish Correctional Center’s security measures, which have come under scrutiny for years due to staffing shortages, maintenance failures, and prior incidents of inmate violence.

“This should never have happened,” said one local resident. “The system failed — not just in letting them escape, but in keeping our communities safe while they were out there.”

In response, Louisiana officials have announced a full internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape, promising to hold any negligent parties accountable.

For law enforcement, the capture of Derrick Groves represents the end of a long, exhausting pursuit — but also the beginning of a new phase of accountability and reform.

“This is closure, but it’s also a wake-up call,” said Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Dupree. “We are committed to ensuring that nothing like this ever happens again.”

As the last fugitive from one of the most alarming jailbreaks in recent Louisiana history returns to custody, both relief and reflection settle over a region that has spent weeks watching the story unfold with anxious eyes.