When Derrick Groves, a convicted murderer who escaped from New Orleans’ Orleans Justice Center, was seized by authorities in Atlanta on Oct. 8, 2025, the city’s streets buzzed with disbelief.
In a dramatic turn that lasted 146 days, the 28‑year‑old escaped inmate was nabbed at the corner of Ponce de Leon Avenue NE and Moreland Avenue NE in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, thanks to a tip to Crime Stoppers Atlanta. The capture set the stage for an extradition hearing the very next morning at the Atlanta Judicial Circuit Courthouse.
Background: The May 15 jailbreak that sparked a statewide manhunt
The escape began on May 15, 2025, during the 3:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. shift change at the Orleans Justice Center. Ten inmates, including Groves, overpowered two correctional officers—Marcus Thompson (badge #734) and Lisa Chen (badge #882)—using sharpened toothbrush handles as improvised weapons. The coordinated breakout involved nine other detainees: Quincy Coleman, Devante Bryant, Jamel Williams, Michael Johnson, Terrell Williams, Darnell Johnson, Marquell Banks, De’Anthony White, and Kelvin Johnson.
Officials later linked the escape to a 2024 DOJ audit (Report #24‑087‑NCS) that flagged staffing shortages and lax security protocols. In the fallout, Louisiana officials tightened internal controls, but the escaped group vanished before a full response could be mounted.
How Atlanta police caught the fugitive
On Oct. 8, 2025, at 2:47 p.m. Eastern Time, a citizen called the Crime Stoppers Atlanta hotline (404‑577‑TIPS) reporting a man matching Groves’ description staying at the Palm Tree Inn motel (345 Ponce de Leon Ave NE). The tip went straight to the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, led by Deputy U.S. Marshal James McPherson. Marshals, backed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s extraterritorial unit, coordinated a swift takedown.
Special Agent David R. Miller of the GBI confirmed the operation was “non‑violent” and that Groves offered no resistance. He was handcuffed on the street and escorted to the Fulton County Superior Court’s holding facility pending the extradition hearing.
Legal showdown: Extradition hearing in Atlanta
The hearing was set for 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 9, 2025, in courtroom 1404 of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit Courthouse (136 Peachtree St NE). Presiding was Judge Amanda Williams of the Fulton County Superior Court.
Representing Groves was Atlanta‑based defense attorney James C. Rawls of the Law Office of James C. Rawls, LLC. The State of Georgia was represented by Assistant District Attorney Sarah H. Smith. After a brief deliberation, Groves chose to waive extradition, effectively fast‑tracking his return to Louisiana and avoiding a formal 30‑day extradition process mandated by Georgia Code § 17‑12‑1.
With the waiver filed at 11:42 a.m., the U.S. Marshals prepared a transport order (USM‑5A‑20251009‑774). Groves was scheduled to be flown back to New Orleans the same evening, with an estimated arrival at the Orleans Justice Center by 8:00 p.m. Central Time on Oct. 10, 2025.
Reactions from officials and the community
- Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised the swift cooperation between states, noting the capture upheld public safety and reinforced the seriousness of the Uniform Criminal Extradition Act.
- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp highlighted the effectiveness of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s extraterritorial unit, calling the operation a "model of inter‑state law‑enforcement collaboration."
- Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams issued a press release confirming additional Louisiana charges: aggravated escape (Louisiana Rev. Stat. 14:110) carrying a potential 5‑to‑40‑year sentence, and an armed robbery charge stemming from a May 20, 2025, Baton Rouge convenience‑store theft of $217.50.
- Local residents of the Old Fourth Ward expressed relief, with one neighbor saying, "We were terrified when we heard about a fugitive on the block. Seeing him taken away felt like the nightmare ended."
Broader implications and next steps
Groves now faces a stack of pending cases. Georgia authorities have also filed a theft‑by‑receiving‑stolen‑property charge (O.C.G.A. § 16‑8‑7) related to a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu reported stolen from DeKalb County on Sept. 22, 2025. However, those charges will be held in abeyance until Louisiana concludes its own proceedings, per the Interstate Agreement on Detainers Act.
The episode has reignited debate over prison security standards in Louisiana. Lawmakers are urging the state to allocate additional funding for staff training and surveillance upgrades at the Orleans Justice Center, a facility already under scrutiny after multiple audit findings.
For now, Groves will return to the prison that originally held him, awaiting sentencing on the new charges. The case serves as a reminder that even a coordinated jailbreak can be unraveled when tip lines, federal task forces, and local agencies work in concert.
Key facts
- Who: Derrick Groves, convicted murderer serving life without parole.
- What: Captured after a 146‑day fugitive run stemming from a May 15, 2025, jailbreak.
- When: Arrested Oct. 8, 2025, 2:47 p.m.; extradition hearing Oct. 9, 2025, 11:00 a.m.
- Where: Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, GA; hearing at Atlanta Judicial Circuit Courthouse.
- Why it matters: Highlights inter‑state law‑enforcement cooperation and raises questions about prison security in Louisiana.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did authorities locate Derrick Groves in Atlanta?
A citizen called the Crime Stoppers Atlanta hotline after spotting a man matching Groves’ description at the Palm Tree Inn motel. The tip was relayed to the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, which coordinated the rapid arrest at the intersection of Ponce de Leon Avenue NE and Moreland Avenue NE.
What charges will Groes face once back in Louisiana?
Beyond his original life‑without‑parole sentence for the 2023 murder of Antoine Williams, Groves is now charged with aggravated escape (5‑to‑40 years) and an armed robbery of a Baton Rouge convenience store where $217.50 was taken. A pending theft‑by‑receiving‑stolen‑property charge in Georgia will be held in abeyance until Louisiana finalizes its case.
Why did Groves waive extradition instead of contesting it?
Waiving extradition allowed Groves to avoid a formal Georgia proceeding that could have delayed his transfer by up to 30 days. By accepting the waiver, he expedited his return to Louisiana, where his primary prison term will be served.
What impact does this case have on prison reform in Louisiana?
The jailbreak underscored serious security gaps identified in a 2024 DOJ audit. Lawmakers are now urging increased funding for staffing, surveillance upgrades, and staff training at the Orleans Justice Center to prevent a repeat of this coordinated escape.
Will the Georgia theft charge affect Groves’ sentence in Louisiana?
The Georgia charge (felony theft by receiving stolen property) will stay on hold while Louisiana prosecutes the more serious offenses. If Louisiana imposes a life sentence, the Georgia charge may never be adjudicated, but it remains on record for potential future proceedings.
Vinay Agrawal
October 10, 2025 AT 15:40I cant even wrap my head around how this dude managed to stay hidden for 146 days. The whole thing feels like a twisted thriller movie, only worse. Every time I think about those toothbrush handles, I cringe. The tip line saved us all, but why it took so long to catch him is just mind‑boggling. I hope the prison never lets anyone use dental tools as weapons again.
Aakanksha Ghai
October 13, 2025 AT 13:06This whole escape saga highlights the moral duty of our correctional system to protect the public. When officials cut corners, lives are jeopardized. The swift cooperation between states shows what should be standard practice. Let’s hope this forces lasting reforms.
Raj Kumar
October 14, 2025 AT 03:00What most people don’t see is the hidden network that likely facilitated the escape. Coordinated jailbreaks rarely happen without inside assistance, especially when toothbrushes become weapons. The timing of the tip-right before the extradition hearing-raises questions about who wanted him caught exactly when. It’s plausible that certain interests manipulated the process to prevent further leaks. Stay alert; there’s more beneath the surface than the official narrative admits.
Shruti Phanse
October 15, 2025 AT 20:40The capture of Derrick Groves serves as a profound reminder of the interconnectedness of our justice systems across state lines. It demonstrates that when law‑enforcement agencies communicate effectively, they can swiftly rectify breaches that might otherwise erode public trust. Moreover, the incident underscores the importance of robust oversight mechanisms within correctional facilities; without them, the risk of coordinated escapes remains ever‑present. The decision of the inmate to waive extradition expedited his return, sparing the community from a protracted legal battle that could have strained resources on both sides. While the immediate threat has been neutralized, the underlying systemic issues that permitted the initial breakout demand comprehensive review and action. The 2024 DOJ audit, which highlighted staffing shortages and lax security protocols, should now be translated into concrete policy changes rather than remaining a bureaucratic footnote. Allocating additional funding for staff training, upgrading surveillance technology, and establishing stricter inventory controls for potential improvised weapons are essential steps. By fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, the Orleans Justice Center can rebuild its credibility. The inter‑state collaboration showcased here sets a commendable precedent; it should encourage other jurisdictions to develop similar cooperative frameworks. In doing so, we not only protect communities but also reaffirm the principle that justice is a shared responsibility, transcending geographic boundaries. Finally, the public’s relief, as voiced by neighbors in the Old Fourth Ward, illustrates the societal impact of effective law‑enforcement action. Their sense of safety restored is a testament to the value of prompt, coordinated response. Let this episode be a catalyst for lasting reform, ensuring that such a breach remains an isolated incident rather than a recurring failure.
Shreyas Moolya
October 16, 2025 AT 10:33The whole affair illustrates a failure of elite oversight and a lapse in procedural rigor.
Pallavi Gadekar
October 18, 2025 AT 18:06Wow that was such a big deal i cant believe they missed it for so long! The tip finally did the job. Hopefully they fix the security soon.
Samradh Hegde
October 20, 2025 AT 11:46It's heartening to see our southern states working together to bring a dangerous felon back to justice.
Shankar Pandey
October 22, 2025 AT 05:26The capture is merely a symptom of a deeper malaise within our penal philosophy. If we continue to treat prisons as warehouses rather than rehabilitation centers, such breaches will persist. The system's obsession with punitive measures blinds us to the necessity of genuine reform. Moreover, the reliance on informants underscores a failure of institutional competence. We must question whether the moral authority we claim truly exists when a man can walk free for months on borrowed toothbrushes.
avinash pandey
October 23, 2025 AT 23:06The operational logistics of the interdiction were nothing short of exemplary, leveraging multi‑agency task forces to neutralize a high‑risk asset. Deployment of marshal assets in conjunction with state investigative units signifies a paradigm shift towards integrated fugitive apprehension protocols. Nonetheless, the pre‑capture intelligence gap exposes critical vulnerabilities in information-sharing pipelines. Future iterations must prioritize real‑time data fusion to mitigate latency. This case also illustrates the necessity of cross‑jurisdictional legal harmonization, especially concerning inter‑state extradition statutes. In sum, while the outcome is laudable, the process reveals both strengths and areas for systemic enhancement.
Dhea Avinda Lase
October 25, 2025 AT 16:46Good job on the capture. The cooperation was solid.
Meera Kamat
October 27, 2025 AT 10:26Great to see everyone pulling together! 🎉 This shows how community tips can really make a difference. Let’s keep the dialogue open and support continued improvements in our correctional facilities. 💪
Abhinav Chauhan
October 29, 2025 AT 04:06While the capture is commendable the system still needs overhaul lots of flaws left unchecked.
ramesh puttaraju
October 30, 2025 AT 21:46The whole thing feels like a circus and the media is just feeding the hype.
Kuldeep Singh
November 1, 2025 AT 15:26We must not turn a blind eye to the systemic issues that allowed this escape; accountability is essential.
Seema Sharma
November 3, 2025 AT 09:06Interesting turn of events.