Latest news with #OrleansParishSheriff'sOffice
Ottawa Citizen
17-07-2025
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Pellerin: New mounted unit saddles police with a not-so-fresh challenge
Article content It seems weird to think that we would bring police officers on horseback to the streets of Ottawa without thinking it through to the end, so to speak. Yet here we are, struggling to find a way to deal with what, inevitably, comes out of the horses. Article content It's hard to avoid the conclusion that the city was caught with its breeches down. Article content Article content At the risk of stating the painfully obvious, horses — especially Clydesdales, which we are using — are huge animals that eat copious quantities of food and, well, they are healthy with a metabolism to match so let's just say you can usually tell where they've been. Article content Article content This means manure where it shouldn't be. Streets, sidewalks and parks. For some reason, this isn't popular with the good residents of Ottawa. One councillor was in the news lately saying she'd never received so many poop pictures as she did after the mounted unit had paid a visit to one of her ward's neighbourhoods. Article content In response to media reports about the steaming piles of natural byproducts, the city said it was working on a plan to clean up, but that this was evolving. Which is complete and utter balderdash. If the city really did have a plan to clean up after the horses, there wouldn't be so much horse poop left behind for people to complain about. It's only after the calls to 311 came in that they assigned a staffer to walk behind the horses with a pail and shovel. Some dream job this ain't. Article content You've heard about closing barn doors once the horses have bolted. This is worse. Article content Article content We can't default to constables doing the cleaning because it may not always be safe to dismount or leave the horse unsupervised. Also, these are cops, not recreational riders. We need their attention on the policing part of the job. Sure, if they can help clean up sometimes, all the better. But that can't be plan A. Article content Article content Sgt. Reginald Moses, Mounted Unit Commander with the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, says that in some cases, such as private events in and around New Orleans, riders themselves will dismount and clean up after horses. But for big street parties during Mardi Gras, people kind of get used to what is colloquially known as street 'gravy' (you can google if you're feeling brave, or just imagine what pools on the ground when you mix big crowds, lots of alcohol and very large mammals). Wise and experienced revellers know to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
9th escaped New Orleans inmate captured, leaving just one at large
Antoine Massey, a serial escapee who vanished from a New Orleans jail with nine other inmates just after midnight on May 16, was arrested Friday afternoon in New Orleans, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said. The last remaining escapee, Derrick Groves, is still on the run after breaking out of the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans over a month ago. Massey was most recently charged with vehicle theft and domestic abuse involving strangulation, according to Orleans Parish records. The 33-year-old was captured in a rental property in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, according to Deputy US Marshal Brian Fair. He was arrested just miles from the jail where Massey and the other inmates made their brazen escape, taking advantage of bad locks, stolen bedding and a hungry jail employee, and using electric hair trimmers with multiple clipper blades to help cut their way through the cell walls. Massey was taken into custody without incident after being surrounded on Friday afternoon, according to the US Marshals. It was 'peaceful,' Fair told CNN. 'After receiving a tip, follow-up work was done and lead directly to the arrest today,' Fair told CNN. Massey has a long track record of escaping custody. In 2007, he broke out of a New Orleans juvenile detention center after being arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and aggravated assault, according to Early in June, authorities raided a home after a video showed a man claiming to be Massey saying he was innocent. In the video, the man claiming to be Massey appealed to Lil Wayne for help and held a document to the camera – what he says is a stamped affidavit that proves his innocence. He claimed his ex-girlfriend, Diamond White, recanted her allegation of abuse in the affidavit. White has not responded to CNN's earlier request for comment. She was arrested after allegedly helping Massey after his escape, Louisiana State Police announced May 26. Groves, the inmate still at large, was convicted in October of killing two people in 2018 and later pleaded guilty to battery of a corrections officer. New Orleans Police Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick addressed Groves directly at a Friday news conference. 'We are going to capture you,' she said. 'You will be taken into custody, but you still have the option to peacefully turn yourself in, and we will make an appeal to you to do so.' 'The public defender is ready to meet you and to be with you from the very moment you choose to turn yourself in,' she added. Groves' case went to trial four separate times, the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office detailed in a news release about the conviction. He was determined to be one of two gunmen who opened fire with AK-47-style assault rifles 'on what should have been a joyous Mardi Gras family gathering,' according to the DA's office. A woman believed to be Groves' current girlfriend, Darriana Burton, was arrested earlier in June for allegedly helping him escape. She had exchanged text messages and video calls with Groves in the days leading up to the escape, according to authorities. There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to Groves' capture, offered by Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans, the FBI and other agencies. 'Just like we found Mr. Massey today, we will find Mr. Groves,' Chief Deputy US Marshal Walter Martin said at the Friday news conference. 'We'll continue our efforts.' He encouraged anyone with information about Groves' whereabouts to alert authorities. 'You can remain anonymous, but we need your help,' Martin said. 'Collectively, we will not rest, even if it takes another six days or another six weeks until the last fugitive is in custody.' This story has been updated with additional information. CNN's Holly Yan contributed to this report.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- USA Today
Fugitive in NOLA jail break captured after six weeks on the lam
Authorities in Louisiana have captured one of the last two remaining fugitives still on the loose after a brazen jailbreak in New Orleans nearly six weeks earlier. Antoine Massey, 32, was arrested Friday at a home in New Orleans, according to the Louisiana State Police. He was among ten inmates being held at the New Orleans Justice Center when they broke out of jail on May 16, an escape that wasn't noticed until more than seven hours later. It prompted a manhunt that spanned multiple states. Eight of the ten were captured earlier, most in New Orleans and two in Texas. Earlier this month, Massey posted a social media video proclaiming his innocence. His arrest means that only one escapee, Derrick Groves, remains on the lam. Groves, 27, was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in connection with a shooting during Mardi Gras in 2018. The escapes, which sent several prosecutors and victims fleeing for safety, raised questions about the jail's operations and highlighted a facility that the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said was overcrowded and in need of security upgrades. Massey, 33, who stood out for his face tattoos of chess pieces, was in jail on charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation and theft of a motor vehicle. Officials said new charges were forthcoming. The captures come as Louisiana authorities continue to investigate how the men were able to create a hole in a cell wall by ripping out a toilet and to escape without being noticed by guards in the early hours of May 16. Their absences were not discovered until the next morning. Sheriff Susan Hutson, whose department operates the jail, has said the escapees appeared to have gotten help from the inside. One maintenance worker was already arrested. In addition, she said the jail suffered from underfunding and a shortage of staff.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Former OPSO employee arrested, accused of conspiring to bring drugs into Orleans Parish jail
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A former Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office employee is in custody after allegedly conspiring to bring drugs into the jail. OPSO officials say 24-year-old Iyanna Carter reportedly made the plan with inmate 31-year-old Henry Sims. Man accused of stabbing girlfriend multiple times in Slidell Deputies said as a result, two inmates suffered non-fatal overdoses on May 30. Both were treated with several doses of Narcan and taken to a hospital where they recovered. The two are now back in deputy custody. OPSO Sheriff Susan Hutson said the arrest sends a clear message. 'We will not tolerate anyone, inside or outside our organization, who jeopardizes the safety and security of this facility. And, we are committed to accountability at every level and to protecting both our residents and our staff. I'm proud of the quick response by our Investigative Services Bureau and the Intelligence Division in identifying suspicious behavior and actions by a former employee and swiftly closing down this conspiracy to bring dangerous drugs into the jail,' said Hutson. OPSO officials said Carter has since been fired, and on June 12, she was arrested and booked into the Orleans Justice Center on felony charges of: Introduction of a controlled substance into a correctional facility (two counts) Malfeasance in office (two counts) Criminal conspiracy (two counts) NOPD officials release footage from officer-involved shooting incident OPSO Compliance and Accountability Director Major Silas E. Phipps, Jr. says the integrity of the facility depends on the integrity of those who work in it. 'This case is a reminder of why our internal controls and ongoing compliance efforts matter. When misconduct happens, we will investigate it and we will act on it,' said animals come out to play at Yellowstone National Park – but don't get too close How to watch military parade on Trump's birthday Body exhumed in hopes of solving 54-year-old Illinois mystery Omaha Bound: Inside the Men's College World Series Social Security COLA increase: Senior group issues projection, but warns of potential new 'problems' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Girlfriend Of Escaped Inmate Arrested For Alleged Role In Louisiana Jailbreak
The U.S. Marshals Service arrested 28-year-old Darriana Burton on Monday, accusing her of helping her boyfriend, convicted murderer Derrick Groves, escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center. Burton, a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO), faces felony charges of conspiracy to commit simple escape. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced Burton's arrest, stating, '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.' 'I'd like to thank the U.S. Marshals Service for executing our warrant for this woman,' she added, per Fox 4 KDFW. 'We will arrest all aiders and abettors, and we will eventually get Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves back to prison where they belong.' An arrest warrant was issued for Burton on May 27 after authorities confirmed she communicated with Groves, with whom she had an 'on-again, off-again relationship' for three years and is believed to be currently dating. An arrest affidavit states Burton coordinated contact between Groves and individuals outside the jail, sharing information related to the escape. Melaine Talia of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation said, 'As I understand, just two days prior to the escape, Groves and his girlfriend had communication via the tablet that was issued through the Orleans Justice Center.' Talia added, 'I don't think [it's] surprising that someone would help an individual that has that violent history, and is known for using violence to get what he wants,' WDSU News reported. The tablets, introduced in February through the Smartcom program, allow inmates free 15-minute daily phone calls and 20-minute weekly video calls to reduce jail violence and improve quality of life, according to OPSO documents. Burton worked at OPSO from August 2022 to March 2023 but was fired for allegedly bringing contraband into the facility. In 2023, she faced charges of malfeasance and bringing contraband into jail, but the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges after Burton completed a pretrial diversion program. The district attorney's office issued a statement explaining, 'The charges against Ms. Burton were thoroughly reviewed by a senior screening attorney, who considered all available evidence at that time, the specific conduct alleged, and Ms. Burton's lack of criminal history. Ms. Burton was ultimately offered, and successfully completed, a pretrial diversion program.' 'The contraband in question was not actually introduced into the secure area of the facility. According to the incident report, Ms. Burton left the contraband inside a bag at the facility entrance and did not follow through with delivery.' The statement added, 'As with all cases, our office's priority is to evaluate whether we can meet our legal burden of proof at trial, along with other relevant factors. The present matters remain under active review by the appropriate agencies. Any and all persons found to be complicit in the escape or in aiding escapees will be fully prosecuted and held accountable for their actions.' Groves and another inmate, Antoine Massey, remain at large. Brian Fair of the U.S. Marshals Office said, 'Our investigation continues, and they could be anywhere. They could be in New Orleans, or they could be out of the New Orleans area.' Talia emphasized, 'They are not going to give up; law enforcement is on it,' WDSU reported.
