Fugitive from New Orleans Jail Remains at Large
In a troubling development, nearly two months have passed since ten inmates broke free from a New Orleans jail through a hole behind a toilet. Law enforcement has successfully recaptured all escapees except for Derrick Groves, a man with a particularly violent history.
The dramatic jailbreak took place on May 16, and within just 24 hours, three of the escapees were apprehended. Most of the others followed suit in the subsequent weeks. However, Groves, a 28-year-old native of New Orleans, has kept a notably low profile since his escape, a fact that raises concerns given his criminal background.
Authorities emphasize that Groves has much to lose. Last year, he was convicted of killing two people at a block party. Officials described the incident as stemming from a feud with rival drug dealers. With a life sentence without the possibility of parole looming over him, Groves has become a significant threat to public safety.
“He’s got nothing to lose,” stated Forrest Ladd, the assistant district attorney who prosecuted Groves. “That’s dangerous for anyone, but especially someone with his capacity for violence.”
Despite a high likelihood of being caught—statistics show that over 90% of escapees are recaptured within a year—Groves has managed to evade law enforcement efforts thus far. Bryce Peterson, a criminal justice professor, believes Groves will eventually be apprehended given the extensive media coverage and police resources dedicated to the search.
The recent breakout stands out due to its apparent planning. Many escapes involve low-level offenders seizing sudden opportunities, whereas this escape involved alleged assistance from current and former jail staff.
Groves has avoided capture by utilizing contacts he has in the community. Both friends and family members are suspected of aiding him, making it all the more complicated for authorities to locate him. Multiple reports indicated that he might be hiding in the familiar surroundings of the Lower Ninth Ward, the neighborhood where he was raised.
In the aftermath of the escape, a former jail employee, who previously had a romantic relationship with Groves, was accused of helping him orchestrate the jailbreak. She is among a group of at least 16 individuals charged with providing logistical support to the escapees.
Adding complexity to the situation is the pervasive mistrust many residents of New Orleans feel toward law enforcement. The city has a legacy of controversial policing practices, particularly affecting the African American community. This distrust can impede cooperation with police and exacerbate an already challenging situation for those tasked with recapturing Groves.
Groves’ family history further fuels this mistrust. In a tragic twist, a corrupt police officer was involved in the murder of his grandmother, a case that reverberated through Groves’ family. His aunt has publicly expressed concern for their safety while urging him to turn himself in.
In his youth, Groves faced significant challenges, including a lengthy incarceration tied to a murder charge that he was later acquitted of, a situation compounded by his grandmother’s murder. Such experiences, coupled with the environment he grew up in, likely fostered his disillusionment with the justice system.
The FBI began monitoring Groves’ activities as a teenager due to his involvement in drug trafficking. This culminated in multiple convictions for various violent crimes, including his recent murder charges. Eyewitnesses in his cases faced intimidation tactics, which hindered the judicial process and highlighted the serious implications of his behavior.
As time moves on, the pressure is mounting on law enforcement to locate Groves and restore safety to the community. With a reward of $50,000 offered for information leading to his capture, the hope remains that collaboration among residents and authorities will eventually lead to a resolution in this troubling case.
