The girlfriend of an escaped Louisiana inmate, who’s tied to four killings, was just arrested in a dramatic turn in a jailbreak case that’s grabbed national attention.
On Monday, June 9, U.S. Marshals arrested 28-year-old Darriana Burton concerning the May 16 escape at the Orleans Justice Center. And her role? According to law enforcement, it wasn’t just a minor one.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Fair confirmed Burton was wanted on a felony warrant issued by the Attorney General’s Office for conspiracy to commit simple escape. Her bond was set at a staggering $2.5 million.
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This arrest is a major development in the still-active manhunt for Derrick Groves and Antoine Massey, the two inmates who vanished nearly a month ago. Both are still on the run.
Groves is suspected of being involved in four murders. Massey is wanted for rape and kidnapping in St. Tammany Parish and also faces domestic abuse and theft charges in Orleans Parish. Their escape has launched a search effort stretching beyond city limits and now across state lines.
So, how does Burton fit into all this?
Investigators say she used to work in corrections and played a hands-on role in the escape. Two days before the jailbreak, Groves made a video call from inside the jail and connected with Burton. During that call, she allegedly held up a second device to the camera, letting Groves communicate with another unidentified man, bypassing the jail’s monitored communications system.
That same evening, Groves is said to have called again. This time, the three discussed the escape plan in more detail. According to the affidavit, the mystery man warned that trying to bust out of jail was “a bad move” and could “trigger a manhunt.” Despite that, investigators say Burton had already shared the plan and was actively helping to coordinate it.
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Authorities describe her role as one of “intentional and active involvement in the planning phase” of the escape. That means this wasn’t some spur-of-the-moment decision. Burton, according to court documents, knew exactly what she was doing.
It gets even more wild.
The sisters of another escapee—Lenton Vanburen, who’s since been caught—told police they got a FaceTime call shortly after the breakout. On that call, they saw Vanburen inside a car… with Burton. She allegedly dropped him off at a woman’s home in New Orleans before he continued to Mississippi with two other women.
This jailbreak has turned into something straight out of a movie, but the consequences are very real. Authorities are still working around the clock to find Groves and Massey, and they’re warning the public not to approach them if spotted—they’re considered dangerous.
Want more info? Check out additional coverage from WWL-TV, NOLA.com, and WDSU News for up-to-date developments in this high-stakes case.
As for Burton, she’s now sitting in the same kind of facility her boyfriend broke out of—only this time, she’s not on the outside helping with any plans.