Adams County Sheriff no longer believes escaped inmate from New Orleans is in Natchez, Mississippi, after a possible sighting Tuesday morning.
“We do not believe that the suspect is in our area. That’s not to say he wasn’t here, but we are saying he is not here now,” said Travis Patten.
According to Natchez Police Chief Cal Green, a reported sighting of Antoine Massey was called in around 8:30 a.m.
A search was underway in the Providence Road area.
According to Louisiana State Police, officials are monitoring the search in the area, but did not confirm that Massey was spotted there.
Criminal history:
Massey has a criminal background that dates back to 2007.
That is the year he is said to have escaped a juvenile detention center that’s now known as the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center.
In 2019, he escaped the Morehouse Parish Detention Center and was found the same day in Texas.
He went on to cut off two ankle monitors, including one in 2023 inside a Walmart along Bullard. The owner of that ankle monitor, ASAP Ankle Monitoring officials said.
“When you cut an ankle monitor off, it’s a clear case of guilt. We know who we put it on. We know he took it off. There’s no in between,” said Matt Dennis, with ASAP.
On May 16, Massey and nine others were caught on video escaping from Orleans Justice Center around 1 a.m., sending the community on high alert.
“You look around naturally. It’s a natural thing in the city to be alarmed, on guard and aware of your surroundings,” said Dennis.
After 2 a.m., on the night of the escape, three inmates were caught on surveillance video walking on Baronne Street in the downtown area.
Dennis said he believes Massey will not be caught for some time.
“Whether he’s in town or not. If my theory is correct, Massey has a pocket full of change. And he can hide, if my theory is correct. He has money for a hotel, money for food,” Dennis said.
Dennis said a suspected ankle monitor scam was already under investigation by several agencies before the escape happened. WDSU is working to find out whether the scam could be connected to the escape.
How you can help:
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of each inmate.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI or send digital tips to fbi.gov/neworleansfugitives.
READ MORE:New Orleans escaped inmate believed to no longer be in Natchez
