On May 16, 2025, 10 inmates broke out of the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Because of this, a huge hunt for the person who did it began. Eight of the suspects who ran away have been caught. Antoine Massey, who is 32 years old, is one of the two people who have not been caught.
On June 2, a video of him asking famous people, such as rappers Lil Wayne and Meek Mill and former president Donald Trump, to help him with his case went viral on Instagram. In the video, Massey says that he was "let out" of prison instead of "breaking out," and he accuses the local judicial system of lying and being dishonest.
Antoine Massey is one of the escapees of New Orleans Prison: more details
Inmates were able to get out of jail in large numbers by utilizing broken door locks, stolen bedding, and food deliveries from prison staff to keep them busy. One of the fugitives was Antoine Massey, whom police eventually identified because of the multiple tattoos on his face. Eight of the first 10 have been caught, most of them within the city limits of New Orleans. However, convicted murderer Derrick Groves and Massey are still at large.
The FBI, the US Marshals Service, and local sheriff's officials are all working together to find the two people. They are offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to their arrest.
Taking down an Instagram video, which showed a person who said he was Antoine Massey in a normal kitchen. He said,
“My name is Antoine Massey. I’m asking for help. I was one of the ones that was let out of Orleans Parish jail,”
He then addressed Lil Wayne and said,
“This is Big Antoine’s son… I was the ring boy at your mama’s wedding. Lil Wayne, please help me, bro.”
In the video, Massey showed evidence that he said cleared him of the domestic violence charges. He said that the complaint was made by an envious partner instead of a real victim. He argued that the evidence shows he was wrongfully held and that authorities made up or hid data that may have cleared him.
Even though he says he is innocent, the prosecution has not said anything about the specific papers he used, which makes those documents seem less credible.
Details of Antoine Massey's criminal record
In March 2025, Antoine Massey was arrested for stealing a vehicle and assaulting someone at home, which started with strangling. Before he went to jail, he was wanted in St. Tammany Parish for rape and kidnapping. Court documents and police remarks say that he has a criminal record that includes armed robbery, aggravated escape from an officer, being a felon with a pistol, theft, and tampering with electronic monitoring equipment.
These crimes span more than ten years. This was his fifth reported escape attempt. He had already pulled off ankle monitors in 2023 and was caught within hours. Officials have said that the footage is an important part of the ongoing investigation because it might show where Massey is or who is aiding him.
Susan Hutson, the sheriff of Orleans Parish, told Massey to report himself after witnessing his video in a public statement. Hutson was quoted as saying:
“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.” 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.”
Massey got in touch with political figures who have all spoken out in their ways about the need for criminal justice reform by going after Donald Trump, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill. Donald Trump pardoned well-known inmates while he was in office. Lil Wayne actively supported rap peers who were battling legal battles, while Meek Mill's reputation has been linked to the fight against unfair convictions via his REFORM Alliance.
Antoine Massey makes a personal request for release to Donald Trump, Lil Wayne, and Meek Mill in an emotional public appeal. He also talks about what he perceives as structural unfairness in Louisiana's criminal justice system. His video has brought back to light the circumstances that led up to his escape on May 16 and how his case has been handled, no matter what happens to him.
Massey and Derrick Groves are still on the run, but the police are pursuing every clue they can find to catch them. As the quest goes on, worries about jail safety, suspected corruption, and the participation of well-known people in high-profile court cases continue to shape this story.