Atlanta Police Capture Last Orleans Jail Escapee Derrick Groves

When Derrick Groves, a 28‑year‑old pre‑trial detainee, was finally taken into custody, officers from the Atlanta Police Department celebrated the end of a five‑month hunt that spanned three states.

The standoff unfolded on the afternoon of October 8, 2025 at a single‑family home in southwest Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. After receiving credible intelligence that Groves was hiding inside, tactical units cordoned off the property, negotiated, and secured his surrender without any reported injuries.

• 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center in May 2025.
• Groves remained at large for 143 days, the longest of the group.
• The manhunt involved the U.S. Marshals Service, Louisiana State Police, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
• Three states—Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia—were part of the pursuit.
• Atlanta Police deployed its Special Operations Division and armored vehicles to the scene.

Background: The May 2025 Orleans Justice Center Escape

The breakout began on May 14, 2025 when a routine transfer between housing units at the Orleans Justice Center was compromised. Ten pre‑trial detainees slipped past guards, exploiting a momentary lapse in surveillance.

At the time, the facility—run by Susan Hutson, Orleans Parish Sheriff—boasted a capacity of 1,438 beds and housed roughly 1,200 inmates daily. The escape marked the third major security breach at the center since 2020.

Manhunt Across Three States

Law enforcement quickly launched a joint operation. The U.S. Marshals Service issued fugitive notices, while the Louisiana State Police coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions.

By early June, nine of the escapees had been recaptured in Louisiana and Mississippi. The remaining holdout, Groves, slipped into Georgia, reportedly using a network of acquaintances to stay under the radar.

Investigators traced a series of cellphone pings and credit‑card transactions that led them to a modest house on 30331—an Atlanta postal code within City Council District 6. The address was kept confidential for safety reasons.

Atlanta Standoff and Capture

Chief Darin Schierbaum of the Atlanta Police Department authorized the deployment of the department’s Special Operations Division. Officers arrived in an armored vehicle, set up a perimeter, and employed negotiation teams to talk the suspect down.

According to unnamed law‑enforcement sources, Groves emerged from the house after about 45 minutes, hands raised, and was handcuffed without incident. No weapons were recovered, and no civilians were injured.

The swift resolution was praised by city officials, who noted the seamless coordination with federal partners. "This is a textbook example of inter‑agency cooperation," Schierbaum said in a brief statement.

Reactions from Law Enforcement and Media

The capture was first reported by WWL‑TV, the CBS‑affiliated station in New Orleans owned by TEGNA Inc.. A sister‑station notice ran on WXIA‑TV (11Alive) in Atlanta, underscoring the cross‑market news‑sharing arrangement between the two stations.

Officials in New Orleans have yet to comment on disciplinary actions for the May security breach, but Sheriff Hutson is expected to review staffing protocols at the Justice Center.

Legal analysts note that Groves now faces the original charges that kept him at the Justice Center, plus additional federal counts for unlawful flight under 18 U.S.C. § 1073. "His extradition back to Louisiana should happen within the standard 72‑hour window," said criminal‑defense attorney Maya Collins, who follows the case.

What Comes Next for Groves?

Within the next three days, Groves will be transferred via interstate prisoner transport to Orleans Parish custody, where a magistrate will schedule a hearing. Prosecutors are likely to add escape‑related statutes, which could extend his sentence by several years.

The incident has also reignited debate over inmate transport security across the South. Lawmakers in the Louisiana State Legislature have already proposed a bill mandating upgraded GPS tracking for all detainee transfers.

For the families of the other nine escapees, the news brings closure after months of anxiety. "We're relieved it's finally over," said one family member who asked to remain anonymous.