Latest news with #LouisianaAttorneyGeneral'sOffice
The Hill
3 hours ago
- The Hill
Former jail employee and girlfriend of escaped New Orleans inmate arrested in connection with case
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Officials with the U.S. Marshals have announced the arrest of a woman in connection to the May breakout at the Orleans Parish jail in New Orleans. U.S. Marshals officials said Darriana Burton, 28, was arrested in New Orleans on Monday, June 9. She had been wanted on a warrant for conspiracy to commit simple escape, a felony, from the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. Burton is a former jail employee and the girlfriend of Derrick Groves, one of two inmates who is still at large after the escape, the Associated Press reported. The other at-large escapee has been identified as Antoine Massey. Groves, Massey, and eight other inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Prison on May 16 by yanking open a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole, and scaling a barbed wire fence in the early morning hours when a lone guard left to get food. Two days before the escape, Groves made a FaceTime video call to Burton using a jail-issued iPad, authorities said. During that call, she helped him speak with a man whom police did not identify. The conversation was 'intentionally vague' and appeared to coordinate communication on other, unmonitored lines, according to a police affidavit for Burton's arrest. The exchange showed Burton's direct role in helping with Groves' escape, police said in the arrest affidavit. Burton and Groves 'were in an on-again, off-again relationship for three years,' dating back to the time when she was still working in the jail, authorities said. Burton began working at the jail in 2022, but was fired after being 'arrested and charged for bringing contraband into the jail and malfeasance in office in 2023,' the attorney general's office explained. The attorney general's office reported that the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges in 2024. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
New Orleans jail escape: Girlfriend of inmate arrested for allegedly aiding jailbreak
The girlfriend of one of the two remaining inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail this month has been arrested for allegedly helping in his escape, officials said Monday. Derrick Groves is among 10 inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, according to Louisiana State Police. Eight of the inmates have since been captured, but Groves and another inmate -- Antoine Massey -- remain on the run, police said. Over a dozen people have been arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees, including another inmate in the jail and a jail maintenance worker who is accused of shutting off water to the toilet, allowing escapees to remove it. Most recently, Darriana Burton, 28, of New Orleans, was arrested on Monday for allegedly helping Groves escape, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office announced. Burton is a former Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office correctional employee, according to the office, which described her and Groves as having an on-again, off-again relationship for three years. She allegedly had an "active involvement in the planning phase of the escape," according to the affidavit for her arrest warrant, including relaying "escape-related information" and coordinating communications between Groves and people outside the jail. MORE: New Orleans jail escape: Reward for tips leading to arrest of 2 remaining fugitives increases to $50,000 Two days before the escape, Groves and Burton had a FaceTime video call via the facility's iPads during which Burton "was observed holding a secondary device in front of the camera" that displayed an unknown man in a separate FaceTime call, according to the affidavit. "This conversation remained intentionally vague, as Groves, Burton and the unknown male appeared to recognize the call was being recorded," the affidavit stated, noting that it was implied that Burton and the unknown man would have a separate, unmonitored call to allegedly discuss details of the escape." Shortly after the initial video call, the three were present on another call during which the unknown man "advised against the escape, calling it a 'bad move' and warning that it would trigger a 'manhunt,'" the affidavit stated. "This exchange confirmed that Burton had already disclosed the escape plan to the outside contact, actively soliciting his involvement," the affidavit stated. "It further demonstrates her direct role in facilitating communication and supporting the coordination of Groves' escape. Burton has been transported to the Plaquemines Parish Jail and faces a felony charge of conspiracy to commit simple escape, officials said. "We will continue to pursue anyone and everyone who has aided and abetted these criminals. We will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the full extent of the law," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement. "We will arrest all aiders and abettors, and we will eventually get Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves back to prison where they belong." MORE: 8 New Orleans inmates captured, 2 remain missing after more than a week on the run Burton was employed at the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office from August 2022 until her termination in March 2023, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office said. She was arrested and charged for allegedly bringing contraband into the jail and "malfeasance in office," though the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges, according to the state attorney general's office. The reward for the arrest of Groves and Massey increased to $50,000, authorities announced late last month, as police said they believe they are closing in on the "dangerous" fugitives. Groves was convicted last year of two counts of second-degree murder in a 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting and faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors said. Unrelated to that case, he also subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, online court records show.
19 hours ago
New Orleans jail escape: Girlfriend of inmate arrested for allegedly aiding in jailbreak
The girlfriend of one of the two remaining inmates who broke out of a New Orleans jail this month has been arrested for allegedly helping in his escape, officials said Monday. Derrick Groves is among 10 inmates who escaped from the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, according to Louisiana State Police. Eight of the inmates have since been captured, but Groves and another inmate -- Antoine Massey -- remain on the run, police said. Over a dozen people have been arrested on suspicion of helping the escapees, including another inmate in the jail and a jail maintenance worker who is accused of shutting off water to the toilet, allowing escapees to remove it. Most recently, Darriana Burton, 28, of New Orleans, was arrested on Monday for allegedly helping Groves escape, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office announced. Burton is a former Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office correctional employee, according to the office, which described her and Groves as having an on-again, off-again relationship for three years. She allegedly had an "active involvement in the planning phase of the escape," according to the affidavit for her arrest warrant, including relaying "escape-related information" and coordinating communications between Groves and people outside the jail. Two days before the escape, Groves and Burton had a FaceTime video call via the facility's iPads during which Burton "was observed holding a secondary device in front of the camera" that displayed an unknown man in a separate FaceTime call, according to the affidavit. "This conversation remained intentionally vague, as Groves, Burton and the unknown male appeared to recognize the call was being recorded," the affidavit stated, noting that it was implied that Burton and the unknown man would have a separate, unmonitored call to allegedly discuss details of the escape." Shortly after the initial video call, the three were present on another call during which the unknown man "advised against the escape, calling it a 'bad move' and warning that it would trigger a 'manhunt,'" the affidavit stated. "This exchange confirmed that Burton had already disclosed the escape plan to the outside contact, actively soliciting his involvement," the affidavit stated. "It further demonstrates her direct role in facilitating communication and supporting the coordination of Groves' escape. Burton has been transported to the Plaquemines Parish Jail and faces a felony charge of conspiracy to commit simple escape, officials said. "We will continue to pursue anyone and everyone who has aided and abetted these criminals. We will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the full extent of the law," Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement. "We will arrest all aiders and abettors, and we will eventually get Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves back to prison where they belong." Burton was employed at the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office from August 2022 until her termination in March 2023, the Louisiana Attorney General's Office said. She was arrested and charged for allegedly bringing contraband into the jail and "malfeasance in office," though the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges, according to the state attorney general's office. The reward for the arrest of Groves and Massey increased to $50,000, authorities announced late last month, as police said they believe they are closing in on the "dangerous" fugitives. Groves was convicted last year of two counts of second-degree murder in a 2018 Mardi Gras Day shooting and faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, prosecutors said. Unrelated to that case, he also subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of manslaughter, online court records show.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Inmate accused of helping with Orleans Justice Center jailbreak
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — An inmate has been charged with assisting in the May 16 jailbreak from the Orleans Justice Center. According to the Louisiana Attorney General's Office, Trevon Williams allegedly helped the 10 inmates to escape, and has now been arrested and charged with 10 counts of principal to simple escape. Fourth arrest made, accused in aiding escaped Orleans Parish inmates Per the arrest warrant, Williams was reportedly in the cell at the time of the escape and provided the other inmates with a blanket and a shirt to help them to clear the razor wire fence. When questioned about his involvement and shown surveillance footage, officials say Williams claimed to not remember anything about the incident. Williams was already in the Orleans Parish Jail on charges unrelated to the escape, but has since been rebooked with the new Republican says he doesn't use straws: 'That's what the women in my house do' Father of 4 detained by ICE at citizenship interview after living in US for 12 years Neuralink patient explains first year of life with brain chip 133 migrants charged with illegal entry into military zone Health officials urge Mennonites to get measles shots Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana AG wants juvenile ‘change of venue' bill, Caddo DA and judges do not
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr., is asking lawmakers to reconsider a bill that would allow district attorneys' offices around the state to send juvenile proceedings to district court judges for trials and hearings. Senate Bill 74, sponsored by Senator Alan Seabaugh and heavily supported by the Louisiana Attorney General's Office, would allow for a venue change if prosecutors believe that the juvenile courts cannot properly prosecute certain youth offenses. DA Stewart said in his opinion that the state is trying to legislate a chronic issue in New Orleans through an unnecessary statewide measure. In March, voters rejected a similar ballot initiative that called for expanding offenses for which a juvenile could be charged as an adult. During a Senate Criminal Justice Committee hearing, Seabaugh was adamant that SB 74 is not the same legislation as the failed amendment. He said this bill is strictly about venue. DA Stewart objects to proposed Senate bill related to juvenile court hearings, procecutions 'This bill supposedly is going to change what we call 'venue'. And it would allow certain juvenile cases to be heard in district court using the children's code rule, but by district court, judges, it's it's a solution to to a problem that's not there,' Stewart said. Proponents of the bill say it provides more discretion over where a juvenile trial can occur, but the district attorney already has some discretion over 15-year-old offenders. 'We can transfer that jurisdiction from juvenile court to adult court so they are treated like adults,' Stewart explained. The list includes, rape, homicide, car jacking, armed robbery violent all violent felonies. Within SB74, there are additional offenses, including burglary and battery, that would be included and on the table for transfer to district court. Seabaugh's assertion that the bill is strictly about venue may be true, but the game changes when youth offenders enter the court system. Changing the venue of juvenile hearings would change how the district court operates when the Louisiana Children's Code is in place. Juvenile court cases are not public like adult criminal trials. No spectators or media are allowed, and only necessary parties are allowed in the courtroom. Youth prosecutions are also expedited, requiring law enforcement, crime labs, court dockets, and other involved stakeholders to move quickly, without violating the code. Watch: Confronting the Plague of Juvenile Crime 'As of right now, the district court judges don't have to use the Children's Code. They use the criminal code or procedure, which is for adults. They would have to figure out the nuances of the children's code for the few times that you switch from one situation to the other,' Stewart said. The most significant difference between criminal district courts and juvenile courts is that the juvenile justice process is meant to be restorative, while criminal court is intended to be punitive. Another is the privacy of juvenile processes, which are primarily intended to protect young people who made poor decisions but can still turn their lives around through the interventions that the juvenile system provides. 'What people really don't understand is that support services, juvenile services. The Office of Juvenile Justice, truancy, Volunteers for Youth Justice, and the drug court. The mental courts are all set up in juvenile court. And how you're going to use them in two different places,' Stewart said. 'There are just a lot of little, small things that make juvenile court work, that we would have problems with if you attempted to move venue. Deputy AG Larry Freiman said the bill is needed because the increase in violent offenses committed by juveniles is exhausting a system that was created to handle fights, family trouble, truancy, and other non-violent crimes. The rise of youth engaged in shootouts, carjacking, robberies, and homicides is growing in a way that the current system is ill-equipped to handle. 'If the DA feels that their juvenile judges are doing a great job, then they don't have to move it. But if they think a case warrants it, they can,' Freiman said during the hearing. 'You know, our CDC (criminal district court) is full of dockets. We're trying to move as many cases as fast as possible. And changing gears, it's not well thought of. Fortunately, in Caddo, we have a separate juvenile court that could deal with all juvenile matters, and they do a good job of dealing with it. So it's really not necessary to transfer those cases for venue purposes and create a whole hybrid system here when you have, too much work already to be done.' On Monday, SB74 was brought before the Senate Finance Committee, which explored the bill's cost, which Senator Seabaugh said was negligible at best. He testified that the bill would have no state general fund impact. He did note that local areas may see a slight increase while some may see a decrease, 'But neither is determinable. The fiscal note would be zero or indeterminable.' Baton Rouge Public Defenders' Office testified during the hearing, explaining to lawmakers that the bill would strain her office's personnel and finances. Her testimony sparked a discussion that ultimately led to the bill's deferment. Caddo Parish Juvenile Court Judges testified that Caddo District Court is already 'begging for judges' and that the bill would require a separate section and probation staff. One retired Caddo juvenile judge explained that criminal district court judges know nothing about the children's code and that getting them up to speed on the differences will involve training costs. He also foreboded 'the harm to come' while that real-time training is happening. Ultimately, Seabaugh voluntarily deferred the bill while the fiscal note is amended, which he said he doesn't anticipate will change much despite the testimony otherwise. DA Stewart said he is still willing to work with lawmakers and other stakeholders on real solutions and interventions to prevent young people from committing crimes, rather than knee-jerk reactions that lead to legislation that will stress an already stressed system. 'I know some people are interested in it, but then you get sidetracked with bills like this, where you're dealing with other issues. I mean, really, the problem is the juvenile court or truancy. So you need some kind of support for choices. Then you have delinquents, they come out of the Department of Juvenile Justice, and they don't have the support systems to get them back in school to teach them or treat or make them be successful, young people, before they ever get into the adult system,' Stewart said. The bill will be returned to the Senate Finance Committee on Monday, May 19. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
