Last New Orleans jail escapee apprehended in Atlanta after several months evading capture.

Authorities in Atlanta, Georgia, have announced the recapture of Derrick Groves, the last of ten inmates who had escaped from Orleans Parish Prison in New Orleans earlier this year. Groves, age 28, was located on Wednesday after being on the run for nearly five months, with his arrest occurring around 1 p.m. at a residence in southwestern Atlanta. This development was confirmed by Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams.

The recapture followed a brief standoff with law enforcement, as reported by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. Groves was among a group of ten detainees who executed a dramatic breakout on May 16, an incident that captured widespread media attention and raised significant concerns among public officials.

In the immediate aftermath of the escape, four of the escapees were apprehended within two days. By late June, nine of the ten had been recaptured, leaving Groves as the only fugitive. He was identified as the most violent among the escapees, having been convicted of multiple serious offenses including second-degree murder.

Groves was eventually discovered hiding in a crawl space inside a house, located through leads provided by the CrimeStoppers anonymous tip program. Law enforcement agents corroborated this information to pinpoint his whereabouts. The investigation into the jailbreak has resulted in arrests of individuals allegedly involved in facilitating the escape, including a former corrections officer believed to have been involved with Groves personally.

Following his arrest, Groves is expected to face extradition proceedings back to New Orleans, where he will likely encounter additional charges associated with his escape. The operation to apprehend him marked the conclusion of a significant, multi-agency effort involving local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Previously, during July, the other nine recaptured escapees pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from the breakout. Despite their pleas, the evidence suggests a clear disregard for legal process, with video footage available depicting detainees fleeing the facility in the early hours of the morning.

Derrick Groves had a tumultuous legal history prior to the escape, having been convicted of two counts of second-degree murder and additional charges of attempted murder. His recapture effectively brings to a close a complex case that has involved numerous law enforcement agencies and highlights the ongoing issue of prison security.

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