Federal and state law enforcement raided a home believed to be the filming location of a viral video featuring Antoine Massey, one of two remaining fugitives who escaped from New Orleans’ Orleans Justice Center on May 16. In the footage, a man resembling Massey claimed innocence and made dramatic pleas to rapper Lil Wayne and former President Donald Trump for help.
The video, posted to a burner Instagram account and since deleted, shows a man with distinctive face tattoos claiming to be Massey. He says he was “let out” of jail and insists he’s innocent of the charges against him. The man presents what he says is an affidavit from his ex-girlfriend Diamond White, recanting accusations of domestic abuse.
“Please help me. Lil Wayne: This is Big Antoine’s son talking… I was the ring boy at your mama’s wedding,” the man says emotionally in the video.
Massey, 32, is one of 10 inmates who escaped the Orleans Justice Center using faulty locks, stolen bedding, and help from a jail employee. Eight escapees have been captured. Only Massey and Derrick Groves, 27, remain at large.
Massey’s criminal history includes multiple prior escapes, including one at age 15 from a juvenile facility and another in his 20s involving a cut fence at a northern Louisiana detention center. He has also twice removed GPS ankle monitors, authorities say.
Recent Developments:
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Law enforcement searched a residence believed to be the location of the video shoot.
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Authorities have not officially confirmed the man in the video is Massey, but Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair said there’s a “good chance it’s him.”
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Massey faces charges of domestic abuse by strangulation and vehicle theft.
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His ex-girlfriend, Diamond White, was arrested for allegedly helping him after the escape.
The man denies threatening a jail employee, Sterling Williams, who claims he was coerced into turning off water access to a cell as part of the escape. The man in the video disputes the credibility of that claim, stating maintenance workers cannot approach inmates without being accompanied by deputies.
“How could I threaten you with a shank if you can’t come around me?” he questions.
Authorities are offering $50,000 rewards for information leading to the arrests of either Massey or Groves, totaling $100,000. The search has expanded across multiple states.
Officials urge Massey to surrender and face the legal system.
“If he’s saying he’s innocent, he can turn himself in and go through the process,” said Fair.