Law enforcement agencies conducted a targeted raid on a residence in Orleans Parish recently, believing it to be the hideout of Antoine Massey, one of two remaining fugitives from a dramatic jailbreak at the Orleans Parish jail on May 16, 2025.
The operation was prompted by tips from Massey’s relatives, who recognized the location from Instagram videos he posted on June 1, 2025, proclaiming his innocence and appealing for help. Although authorities did not find Massey during the raid, they discovered clothing believed to belong to him, suggesting he had been there recently.
The raid stemmed from Massey’s unexpected social media activity. In the Instagram videos, the 32-year-old, identifiable by his distinctive facial tattoos, claimed,
“They say that I broke out. I didn’t break out. I was let out,”
Hinting at possible corruption within the jail system.
“This is Rabbit’s son… please help me, bro.”
Massey also displayed what he said was an affidavit from his ex-girlfriend, Diamond White, retracting domestic abuse allegations, though its authenticity remains unverified by officials.
Relatives recognized the kitchen setting in the videos and alerted authorities, leading to the raid. While the operation confirmed Massey’s recent presence through the clothing found, his absence marked another frustration in the nearly three-week manhunt.
The escape on May 16, 2025, involved ten inmates who exploited security flaws at the Orleans Parish jail, including faulty locks and a distracted staff member. The group created an opening behind a toilet and sink unit, highlighting significant vulnerabilities in the facility. Eight of the escapees have been recaptured using methods like high-speed pursuits, facial recognition technology, and community tips, but Massey and Derrick Groves, 27, remain at large.
Experts note that cybercrime specialists can link app usage to an IP address and physical location. Despite the account being taken down, Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair stated,
“There’s a good chance it’s him.”
The manhunt has expanded across multiple states, employing drones, aircraft, tracking dogs, and facial recognition. Authorities are offering a $100,000 reward—$50,000 per fugitive—for information leading to their arrest, and over a dozen individuals have been detained for allegedly aiding the escapees.
Massey has a well-documented history of escapes, beginning in 2007 at age 15 when he fled a juvenile detention center in New Orleans. Subsequent escapes included incidents in Orleans Parish and northern Louisiana. He currently faces charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation, motor vehicle theft, and additional warrants for second-degree rape and violation of a protective order.
Derrick Groves, Massey’s co-escapee, was convicted in October 2024 of two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder tied to a 2018 Mardi Gras shooting. The severity of their charges underscores the urgency of their recapture.
Scott Duffey, co-director of the Criminal Justice Institute at Wilmington University, noted,
“Whenever a fugitive makes himself visible, it’s beneficial,”
Experts suggest his public statements may indicate desperation, potentially opening a path for negotiation, though he has yet to surrender.
Authorities urge anyone with information on Massey or Groves to contact Crime Stoppers or local law enforcement. With over 90% of escapees historically recaptured, officials remain confident. Still, Massey’s experience and apparent support network highlight the need for innovative strategies and community cooperation to bring this high-profile case to a close.
