New Orleans jail escapee Derrick Groves waives extradition from Atlanta

Derrick Groves waives extradition from Atlanta to New Orleans

Derrick Groves appeared in court on Thursday for an extradition hearing, and said he wants to go back to Louisiana. The New Orleans jail escapee was arrested in Atlanta Wednesday after being on the run for almost five months, according to officials. Authorities said Groves escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in Louisiana on May 16, 2025, along with nine other inmates.

ATLANTA - The last of 10 inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail in May has waived extradition after being captured in southwest Atlanta.

What we know:

Derrick Groves, a 27-year-old convicted murderer, appeared in court Thursday morning and told the judge he wanted to "go home," according to FOX 5’s Deidra Dukes, who was in the courtroom for the hearing.

Groves will be transferred to Louisiana in the coming days to face additional charges tied to his escape.

Derrick Groves waiting on an extradition hearing at the Fulton County Jail on Oct. 9, 2025. (FOX 5)

What we don't know:

Authorities haven’t said who may have helped Derrick Groves hide for nearly five months or how he managed to stay undetected in Atlanta. 

Investigators also haven’t detailed what led them to the Honeysuckle Lane home or who was responsible for renting the property. 

It’s unclear whether anyone else will face charges connected to his escape or capture.

Derrick Groves to be sent back to Louisiana

Derrick Groves, the last of 10 inmates captured after escaping from a New Orleans jail earlier this year, waived extradition back to Louisiana.

The backstory:

Groves was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service with help from the Atlanta Police Department and other agencies. Officials said he was found hiding inside a home along Honeysuckle Lane near Delowe Drive and Cedar Lane.

Deputy Chief Kelly Collier with Atlanta police said Groves surrendered without serious injury after officers deployed gas and a police dog.

New Orleans jail escapee Derrick Groves to appear in Atlanta court Thursday

Derrick Groves is expected in court Thursday for an extradition hearing in Fulton County. The New Orleans jail escapee was arrested in Atlanta Wednesday after being on the run for almost five months, according to officials. Authorities said Groves escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in Louisiana on May 16, 2025, along with nine other inmates.

Authorities said Groves escaped from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in Louisiana on May 16, 2025, along with nine other inmates — one of the state’s most high-profile jailbreaks in decades. While most of the escapees were captured within weeks, Groves had been on the run for nearly five months.

NOLA jail escapee Derrick Groves waives extradition

Derrick Groves, the last of 10 inmates captured after escaping from a New Orleans jail earlier this year, waived extradition back to Louisiana.

Police video showed Groves blowing a kiss to cameras as he was taken into custody, a moment that quickly spread across social media.