Reward for Capture of Last 2 New Orleans Escapees Increased to $50K as Manhunt Intensifies

NEW ORLEANS (TNND) — The search for the two remaining inmates who escaped from Orleans Parish Jail is growing more intense as law enforcement ramps up efforts and significantly increases the reward for their capture. Officials announced Thursday that the reward has more than doubled, reaching up to $50,000 per fugitive.

At a joint news conference, representatives from the New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, and federal agencies provided updates on the hunt for Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey, the last two men still at large after a dramatic jailbreak that has shocked the city and drawn national attention.

Col. Robert Hodges, Superintendent of Louisiana State Police, emphasized the urgency behind the reward increase, stating, “We believe this larger reward will lead to more tips, and that means we’ll be closing in on them faster. They’re tired, they’re running out of places to hide, and they’re constantly looking over their shoulders.”

Fugitive Backgrounds Raise Alarms

Authorities have described both fugitives as extremely dangerous and are urging the public not to approach them under any circumstances.

Antoine Massey faces a disturbing list of charges. According to records, Massey has been charged with domestic abuse by strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle. He is also wanted in St. Tammany Parish on charges including second-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse by strangulation, and violating a protective order involving battery, as reported by USA TODAY.

Derrick Groves has already been convicted of a chilling double murder. In 2018, during Mardi Gras celebrations, Groves opened fire with an AK-47-style assault rifle, killing two people in a senseless act of violence that rattled the city during one of its most iconic annual events.

Details of the Jailbreak

The escape occurred in the early hours of May 16, when ten inmates managed to flee the Orleans Parish Jail. Investigators believe the men exploited a structural vulnerability, slipping through a hole behind a toilet and climbing a barbed-wire fence to make their getaway.

Photos from the cell taken after the escape show the words “Too Easy LOL” scrawled on the wall—mocking law enforcement and highlighting the sheer brazenness of the act.

Reward Contributions and Arrests

The combined reward now totals $100,000—$50,000 for each fugitive. The amount is being funded from multiple sources: Crimestoppers has pledged $20,000, the FBI is contributing another $20,000, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is adding $10,000 to the pot. These federal contributions reflect how seriously the agencies are taking the manhunt and the threat posed by the escapees.

In the aftermath of the escape, eight of the ten inmates have been successfully recaptured. Several individuals have also been arrested and charged with being accessories after the fact, suspected of helping the fugitives evade authorities.

One of the most significant arrests so far is that of Sterling Williams, a 38-year-old maintenance worker at the jail. According to investigators, Williams admitted that one of the inmates had threatened to “shank” him if he didn’t turn off the water in the cell—an action that may have played a critical role in the escape.

Delayed Discovery Raises Questions

Perhaps most troubling is the timeline. Authorities did not become aware of the jailbreak until more than seven hours later, despite the escape taking place at 1 a.m. This delay has prompted serious questions about security protocols, staff oversight, and communication failures within the facility.

Community members and advocacy groups are demanding answers, not only about how such a coordinated escape was possible, but how it went undetected for so long.

Public Urged to Stay Vigilant

Law enforcement officials are urging the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity that could be linked to the fugitives. “If you see something, say something,” said Col. Hodges. “Do not try to confront these individuals. Call 911 immediately.”

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111 or via their website.

As the manhunt stretches into its third week, pressure is mounting on authorities to bring Groves and Massey into custody before anyone else is harmed. The increased reward is seen as a key strategy in drawing out information from the public, especially in communities where the fugitives might be hiding.

For now, the city remains on edge, watching closely as law enforcement tightens the net in one of New Orleans’ most gripping manhunts in recent history.

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