Fugitive Antoine Massey Posts Instagram Videos After Jailbreak, Claims Innocence, Calls Out State of Louisiana
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The fugitive at the center of a nationwide manhunt, Antoine Massey, is no longer hiding in silence. Instead, he’s taking to social media with a viral campaign that challenges the narrative of his escape from the Orleans Justice Center and paints himself as a victim of a broken system.
Massey, 32, who remains on the run after a dramatic May 16 escape from the New Orleans jail, appeared in a series of video clips uploaded to Instagram over the past week. In them, he directly accuses the State of Louisiana of corruption, claims he was “let out, not broken out,” and appeals to a wide audience — including former President Donald Trump and hip-hop artists Lil Wayne and Meek Mill — for help.
“They lied on me, bro. I ain’t touch that girl,” Massey says in one of the clips, holding up paperwork that he claims proves his ex-girlfriend was assaulted by peers, not him.
A Jailbreak or a Setup?
Massey’s case began as a domestic abuse battery charge, but the fugitive claims the charges were fabricated by a “jealous” former partner. In the videos, he displays what appears to be court-related documentation, alleging that her injuries were the result of unrelated violence — not his actions.
This comes after Massey and nine other inmates allegedly removed a toilet from a holding area and escaped through a wall into the street. Eight of those inmates have since been captured. Massey and fellow fugitive Derrick Groves remain at large.
According to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the escape prompted an immediate internal review and a multi-agency manhunt that now includes the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to Massey’s capture.
Sheriff Susan Hutson issued a public statement responding to the videos:
“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,” Hutson said. “Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges.”
Fifth Time on the Run
This isn’t Massey’s first brush with escape. According to officials, this marks his fifth successful evasion of law enforcement custody, including previous incidents involving tampered ankle monitors and skipped court appearances. The cumulative charges facing him could carry a life sentence under Louisiana’s habitual offender statutes.
In the Instagram videos, Massey pleads for clemency, claiming he was subjected to “inhumane treatment” behind bars and framed by a system intent on making him an example.
“Y’all tryna give me life for a lie,” he says, addressing the camera. “I ain’t staying somewhere they tryna kill me legally.”
Public Outcry and Media Frenzy
The videos have triggered an avalanche of public reactions. On one side, supporters argue that Massey’s case highlights the systemic injustices within the Louisiana justice system. On the other, critics see his public plea as a last-ditch manipulation by a repeat offender.
This latest twist has placed the Orleans Justice Center under a harsh national spotlight, once again raising questions about facility security, oversight, and inmate rights. Sheriff Hutson, already under scrutiny for prior jailhouse incidents, is now facing growing pressure from watchdog groups and local officials to explain how such a breach could occur — and how an inmate managed to broadcast his side of the story from hiding.
The Takeaway
Whether Antoine Massey is a wrongfully accused man on the run or a serial escapee exploiting social media, one fact remains: the public deserves transparency, and the justice system needs answers.
Until then, Massey remains a symbol of a deeper issue — where justice, incarceration, and digital platforms collide in real-time. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.
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