Nearly three weeks have elapsed since ten inmates made a daring escape from a New Orleans jail, utilizing a damaged toilet and allegedly receiving help from individuals both inside and outside the facility. As of now, two escapees remain at large, including the notorious Antoine Massey. In a recent update from the Associated Press, law enforcement conducted a raid on June 3 in search of Massey, but unfortunately, the operation did not yield any results. This raid followed the circulation of videos featuring a man claiming to be Massey, which went viral recently. In one particular clip published on Sunday, June 1, the alleged fugitive defended his innocence and called for assistance.
RELATED: Major Developments! Three Additional Inmates Captured Following New Orleans Jail Break, Grandmother Arrested for Assisting (UPDATES)
Video Evidence: Man Claiming to Be Antoine Massey Makes an Emotional Plea
The Associated Press has reported that relatives of Antoine Massey prompted law enforcement to investigate the location depicted in the viral videos. At this moment, details about the ownership of the property remain unclear. However, the individual who bears a striking resemblance to Massey, particularly due to a distinctive face tattoo, filmed himself in what appeared to be a kitchen area, showcasing his surroundings.
“I’m pleading for assistance,” stated the man who claims to be Massey. In one of the video clips, he directed his appeal to notable figures such as President Donald Trump and several well-known rappers, including Lil Wayne, Meek Mill, and NBA YoungBoy. “When I am taken back into custody, I urge you to come and assist me.”
In these viral videos, the person believed to be Massey asserted his innocence, claiming that he was “let out” of jail. He also showcased printed affidavits related to his prior arrests at the OJC and St. Tammany Parish jails. He emphasized, “The person I was previously is not who I am now,” while refuting allegations of threatening a maintenance worker. Furthermore, he denounced the jail system as “corrupted.”
For context, following the escape, authorities released footage and images that captured inmates forcibly opening a malfunctioning cell door, removing a toilet, and squeezing through a breach in the cut steel bars. Subsequently, they scaled a barbed wire fence using blankets to facilitate their escape. One maintenance worker is facing charges for allegedly aiding in the escape, though he has denied any knowledge of such actions.
Swipe below to view the statements made by the man resembling Antoine Massey. Please note that the videos have since been removed from Instagram.
Authorities in St. Tammany Parish have revealed that the 32-year-old Antoine Massey has a history of serious charges, including rape, kidnapping, domestic violence involving strangulation, and violation of a protective order. These allegations stem from an incident that occurred in November 2024.
At the time of his escape from the New Orleans Parish jail, Massey was facing charges related to motor vehicle theft and domestic battery. Police records indicate that a woman, identified as Massey’s girlfriend, has endured multiple reported incidents of physical abuse at his hands. Court documents further reveal that she obtained a protective order against him in 2024, highlighting the severity of their relationship.
In the past two weeks, police arrested this same woman, charging her with obstruction and being a significant participant in an aggravated escape. Authorities allege that she was aware of Massey’s escape plans beforehand and that she communicated with him after his escape, providing misleading information to law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Agencies Respond to Viral Videos Amid Ongoing Investigation
In light of the viral videos, law enforcement quickly initiated an investigation after receiving numerous tips. The efforts to locate Antoine Massey, along with convicted murderer Derrick Groves, have extended beyond two weeks. Out of the original escapees, eight have been recaptured, and their names include Jermaine Donald, Leo Tate, Lenton Vanburen, Gary Price, Corey Boyd, Dkenan Dennis, Robert Moody, and Kendell Myles. Additionally, several relatives and friends, including the grandmother of one inmate, have been apprehended.
The Louisiana State Police is spearheading the search for the fugitives but has not disclosed whether they have verified Massey’s identity in the viral videos. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Police Department has stated that it “cannot confirm the authenticity” of the now-deleted videos circulating across social media platforms. Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson publicly urged Massey to “come forward and surrender himself.”
“Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help prevent additional charges,” Hutson stated in an email. “It is essential that justice is served appropriately and due process is upheld.”
Key Insights from Police Raid Linked to Viral Video Footage
According to reports from the Associated Press, law enforcement officials were privately convinced of the authenticity of Antoine Massey’s viral videos. Consequently, a targeted search was conducted by the Louisiana State Police at a residence in New Orleans late Monday, where they believe the escapee filmed the videos. A senior law enforcement official, speaking to the AP on the condition of anonymity, indicated that they were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation into the jailbreak.
Sources indicate that Antoine Massey was not present at the raided location. However, authorities did discover clothing believed to belong to the escapee, which he reportedly wore during the video recordings. The search for Massey continues, and law enforcement is offering a substantial $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of both Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves.
RELATED: Diddy Trial Week 4: “Mia” Testimony Concludes, Former InterContinental Security Claims Combs Paid $100K for 2016 Assault Footage (LIVE UPDATES)
This article includes contributions from Associated Press staff members Jim Mustian and Jack Brook from Report for America, providing essential updates via the AP Newsroom.
What are your thoughts on this situation, Roomies?
You can find the original article here; the images and photos used in our article are sourced from this source. We do not own the content; it has been utilized solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to its original source.