Derrick Groves: Criminal Charges and Recent Capture
Derrick Groves, a 28-year-old convicted killer from New Orleans, Louisiana, has a history of violent crimes dating back to his teenage years. He gained national attention in 2025 as the last fugitive from a high-profile jailbreak at the Orleans Parish Justice Center on May 16, 2025, where he and nine other inmates escaped. After nearly five months on the run, Groves was captured on October 8, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, following a standoff with law enforcement. Below, I’ll break down his criminal charges, background, the escape, and what’s next for him based on recent reports.
Background and Original Charges
Groves, also known by the street name “Woo,” grew up in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward, a neighborhood scarred by Hurricane Katrina and ongoing violence. His criminal record began early:
- Teenage Years: As a ninth-grade dropout, Groves turned to selling heroin, leading to federal drug charges as a minor.
- 2019–2024 Shootings: Prosecutors linked him to at least four killings during this period. In two separate incidents on Mardi Gras Day 2018, Groves was involved in shootings that killed two people and injured two others.
Initially charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, these offenses carried mandatory life sentences without parole in Louisiana. However, Groves later pleaded guilty to reduced manslaughter charges in the two fatal shootings, which still carried significant prison time (up to 40 years per count). His sentencing was scheduled for December 2024 but delayed due to a judge’s recusal, leaving him unsentenced when he escaped.
Some reports describe him as a “four-time convicted killer,” possibly including prior convictions or additional uncharged incidents, though details on earlier killings remain limited in public records. Groves was held at the Orleans Parish Justice Center awaiting final sentencing when the escape occurred.
The May 2025 Jailbreak and Immediate Aftermath
On May 16, 2025, Groves and nine other inmates exploited a faulty cell door, crawled through a hole behind a toilet, scaled a barbed-wire fence, and fled into the night—one of the largest jailbreaks in recent U.S. history. The escape highlighted security flaws at the facility, including contraband smuggling by staff.
- All 10 Escapees Charged with Simple Escape: This Louisiana felony adds 2–5 years to their sentences and is being prosecuted by the state Attorney General’s office. The other nine were recaptured within six weeks and pleaded not guilty in July 2025.
- Aiding and Abetting Charges: At least 16 people, including family, friends, and jail staff, were arrested for helping the escapees. Notably:
- Groves’ girlfriend, Darriana Burton (a former jail employee), was charged with aiding the escape by smuggling contraband and picking up inmates post-breakout. Her charges were later refused after completing a diversion program.
- A jail plumber, Sterling Williams, was charged with facilitating the breakout.
Authorities believed Groves had external support, possibly from his Lower Ninth Ward network, allowing him to evade capture longer than the others. The FBI offered a $20,000 reward for tips leading to his arrest.
Capture in Atlanta: October 8, 2025
After tips from CrimeStoppers, U.S. Marshals traced Groves to a home in southwest Atlanta. On October 8, a SWAT team executed a search warrant, finding him hiding in a reinforced crawl space under the house—described as “prepared to hide for the long haul.” He surrendered without incident after gas was deployed, blowing kisses to cameras as he was led away in handcuffs.
- Immediate Charges in Georgia: Booked in Fulton County Jail on fugitive from justice charges, Groves awaits extradition to Louisiana.
- Additional Louisiana Charges: He now faces enhanced penalties for the escape, potentially adding years to his sentence. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill vowed to “prosecute him to the full extent of the law.”
No weapons were found, and investigators are probing how long he stayed at the Atlanta location or his ties to the residents.
What’s Next for Groves?
- Extradition and Sentencing: Expected to be returned to Louisiana soon, where his original manslaughter convictions will proceed to sentencing—likely two life terms or decades in prison. The escape charge will be added, and his case will move to state court. He may be transferred to the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, joining the other escapees.
- Retrial Context: Earlier reports mentioned a retrial verdict in March 2025 for the 2018 Mardi Gras killings, delivering “justice” per the Orleans Parish DA—though this aligns with his guilty plea and delayed sentencing.
- Broader Impact: The escape exposed jail vulnerabilities, leading to firings, security upgrades, and ongoing investigations into accomplices. Groves’ family history adds irony—his grandmother, Kim Groves, was murdered in 1994 in a police-related hit ordered by a corrupt officer.
This case underscores issues in U.S. correctional systems, from understaffing to community ties enabling evasion. For the latest updates, check official sources like the Orleans Parish DA’s office or U.S. Marshals Service. If you have more details or a specific aspect (e.g., court dates), let me know!
