Authorities in Louisiana arrested and charged a former employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, who police identified as the girlfriend of escapee Derrick Groves, for her alleged role in facilitating his escape. Police arrested Darriana Burton, 28, on Monday over allegations she aided in the jailbreak on May 16. The jailbreak led to the escape of ten inmates, including her alleged boyfriend Groves, a convicted murderer.
Burton denied the allegations in a text message sent to The Associated Press.
“I categorically deny any involvement in introducing contraband into the jail or assisting in any escape,” Burton wrote. “These allegations are false and I intend to fully defend myself through the proper legal channels.”
Groves and another escaped inmate, Antoine Massey, are still on the run, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Massey is facing charges of rape, kidnapping and domestic battery, CBS News reported.
Burton is facing a felony charge of conspiracy to commit simple escape related to her alleged involvement in facilitating the escape, according to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.
Authorities said they believe Burton is the current girlfriend of Groves and confirmed the two were in an on-again, off-again relationship for three years.
Attorney General vows prosecution
“We will continue to pursue anyone and everyone who has aided and abetted these criminals,” Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement. “We will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the full extent of the law. I’d like to thank the US Marshals Service for executing our warrant for this woman. We will eventually get Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves back to prison where they belong.”
What happened on May 16?
Investigators said the inmates broke out of the jail on May 16 because of defective locks and exited the facility through a hole behind a toilet. Ten escaped inmates then climbed over a wall while the only guard in the pod was away getting food. About seven hours later, during the morning headcount, officers realized they were gone.
Authorities recaptured eight of the ten escaped inmates. A few were found in the French Quarter, and others were found in different parts of Louisiana. Two inmates were tracked down and arrested in Texas after surveillance by U.S. Marshals, authorities said.
More arrests connected to the escape
More than a dozen individuals, including the jail’s maintenance worker, have been arrested because authorities believe they helped the inmates escape from jail.
A judge set Burton’s bond at $2.5 million.
