New Orleans Jail Escapee Antoine Massey Claims He Was ‘Let Out'
Law enforcement officials are investigating a social media video that appears to show Antoine Massey, one of two remaining fugitives from a historic May jailbreak at the Orleans Justice Center, disputing claims that he orchestrated the escape.
The video, posted Sunday on an Instagram account and deleted Monday afternoon after news reports, showed a man identifying himself as Massey, displaying matching facial tattoos.
The video has resurfaced throughout social media on numerous platforms, such as WBRZ:
'They say that I broke out. I didn't break out. I was let out,' the man said, denying allegations that he threatened a jail worker to facilitate the escape.
He also claimed he fled because he faced a life sentence for crimes he did not commit.
'The reason why I left the jail is because these people were trying to give me a life sentence in both parishes for something that I did not do,' he said.
Massey, 32, is one of 10 inmates who escaped the Orleans Justice Center on May 16. Eight have been recaptured, leaving Massey and Derrick Groves, 27, at large. Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair and another law enforcement source confirmed Monday that they were working to verify the video's authenticity.
In the video, the man disputes the account of jail plumber Sterling Williams, who told police Massey threatened to 'shank' him. Williams is accused of shutting off water to a first-floor cell, enabling inmates to remove a toilet, crawl through a hole in the wall, and escape via a pipe chase, a loading dock, and over a fence before fleeing across an interstate.
Police reports suggest Massey and others coordinated with accomplices in advance. More than a dozen people accused of aiding the escapees have been arrested.
Massey, jailed in March for motor vehicle theft and domestic abuse battery involving strangulation, is also wanted in St. Tammany Parish for suspected kidnapping and rape. His criminal record, dating back to 2009, includes convictions for armed robbery, aggravated flight from an officer, felon in possession of a firearm, theft, simple criminal damage to property, and two instances of tampering with electronic monitoring equipment. The May escape marks his fifth, including two prior incidents of cutting off ankle monitors.
In the video, Massey denies the domestic abuse charge, claiming it stemmed from a false report by a jealous girlfriend. He displayed paperwork he said proves she was attacked by others, not him. He also accused Louisiana authorities of corruption, alleging unfair prosecution and mistreatment in jail.
Massey called on public figures, including President Donald Trump, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill, for help.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who oversees the jail, urged the man in the video to surrender.
'If the individual depicted in the video is indeed Antoine Massey, we strongly urge him to come forward and turn himself in to the proper authorities,' Hutson said in a statement, per Fox 8 in New Orleans. 'Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges. It is important that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed.'
Rafael Goyeneche, CEO of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, told Fox 8 that the video could provide valuable clues to help law enforcement officers locate the fugitive.
'Those videos, and the social media sites that he posted those on, are going to contain metadata that will enable law enforcement to determine who posted them on what platform using what devices,' he said.
The manhunt for Massey and Groves, now in its third week, continues. A $50,000 reward per inmate, funded by Crime Stoppers, the FBI, and ATF, is offered for information leading to their capture.
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