NEW ORLEANS — Authorities are currently examining a recent social media post, marking the second instance in a week, featuring a man claiming to be Antoine Massey, a fugitive who escaped New Orleans jail over two weeks ago.
The newest Instagram post, which seemingly emerged on Wednesday, showcases a man standing by a blue vehicle, who introduces himself as “#AntoineMassey,” bearing the same unique facial tattoos. Authorities remain uncertain about the exact time and location of this photo, which allegedly features Massey. However, law enforcement officials are treating the post with credibility. A senior official, preferring anonymity due to the case’s ongoing investigation, conveyed this to the public concerning the escape event that occurred on May 16, involving ten inmates.
The inmates managed to lift a malfunctioning cell door, escape through a wall hole behind a toilet where steel rods had been removed, and scale a barbed wire fence using blankets for shield. This incident is noted as one of the most significant jailbreaks in modern U.S. history.
The situation has drawn severe criticism towards Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson from state and local officials, as Hutson has largely attributed the escape to outdated infrastructure and the lack of essential upgrades at the decade-old, $150 million facility.
Among the escapees, eight have been recaptured, leaving Massey and Derrick Groves, a convicted murderer, still at large. Within the Instagram footage, the individual claiming to be Massey insists on his innocence. Massey, aged 32, is charged with kidnapping, rape, domestic violence with strangulation, and auto theft.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair urged Massey to surrender and avail himself of the legal system for a fair trial through a statement delivered via email. He also noted the ambiguity surrounding who uploaded the photo or when it was captured.
Earlier in the week, additional videos presumed to be made by Massey surfaced online, prompting authorities to execute a raid on a New Orleans residence, slightly over two miles from the correctional facility, suspected to be the filming site for the videos. However, only specific clothing items believed to have been worn in the footage were discovered.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has appealed to both Massey and Groves to “abandon this game of hide-and-seek” and surrender themselves to the authorities.