How Did Derrick Groves Escape Prison? Inside the Mass Jailbreak and How He Evaded Police for 5 Months

Derrick Groves made headlines after his daring escape from a New Orleans prison, alongside nine other inmates, earlier this year. While the majority of the escapees were swiftly recaptured, Groves managed to evade authorities for an impressive five months before being apprehended in a dramatic showdown in Atlanta.

The convicted murderer, who was serving time for the shooting deaths of two men during a Mardi Gras gathering in 2018, was on the run until a tip-off to Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans led police to his location. U.S. Marshals raided a house in Atlanta, where Groves was found hiding in a crawl space after a three-hour search and multiple rounds of gas deployment.

Authorities described Groves as a dangerous individual, emphasizing that he would face a lengthy prison sentence for his crimes. The escape raised questions about the security of the prison and whether the breakout was an inside job. It was later revealed that a maintenance worker, Sterling Williams, had assisted the inmates by disabling the cell’s water supply, allowing them to make their escape.

Groves’ criminal history dates back to 2018 when he was initially convicted of the murders he committed. After a retrial in 2023, he was found guilty once again and sentenced to life in prison. The escape plan involved a total of ten inmates, each facing a variety of charges ranging from carjacking to attempted murder. Groves’ accomplices were gradually captured in the weeks following the escape, with some being found as far as late June 2025.

Despite his efforts to remain at large, Groves’ luck ran out in Atlanta. Authorities also arrested his girlfriend, Darriana Burton, for aiding in his escape. Burton, a former correctional center employee, was dismissed for smuggling contraband into the prison, further complicating Groves’ situation.

Upon his capture, Groves faced charges of simple escape, similar to the charges brought against his fellow escapees. However, authorities hinted at the possibility of upgrading his charges to aggravated escape due to the discovery of drugs and weapons at the Atlanta residence. Groves opted to waive his right to an extradition hearing, expressing his desire to return to Louisiana to face the consequences of his actions.

The lengthy pursuit of Derrick Groves and his eventual capture represented a significant victory for law enforcement. With the ordeal now behind them, authorities can focus on ensuring that justice is served for Groves and his associates involved in the high-profile prison break.