New Orleans jail escapee releases videos, prompting search of home where they were made, source says

By JIM MUSTIAN and JACK BROOK Associated Press Summary for America NEW ORLEANS AP A man who identifies himself as New Orleans jail escapee Antoine Massey distributed videos on social media while still on the run from personnel leading to a police raid that failed to recapture him an Associated Press source says Bureaucrats were so convinced about the authenticity of the videos that they searched a New Orleans home late Monday where they believe the videos were filmed according to a senior law enforcement official who spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity The official disclosed he was not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing scrutiny into the May jail escape by inmates Massey was not at the home the official revealed but executives did locate several clothing they believe he wore during the filming Functionaries had been tipped to the videos which were posted on Sunday by relatives who recognized the residence from which Massey was speaking It was not without delay clear who owned the home Residents watch as police pursue a fugitive that escaped from a New Orleans jail Tuesday May in New Orleans AP Photo Gerald Herbert A police helicopter pursues a fugitive that escaped from a New Orleans jail on North Galvez street Tuesday May in New Orleans AP Photo Gerald Herbert Show Caption of Residents watch as police pursue a fugitive that escaped from a New Orleans jail Tuesday May in New Orleans AP Photo Gerald Herbert Expand Leadership say they are exploring the videos as they race to recapture Massey and convicted murderer Derrick Groves more than two weeks after inmates made an audacious breakout from a New Orleans jail Eight of the other escapees have since been recaptured Louisiana State Police the agency leading the search for the fugitives declined to comment on whether it had verified Massey s identity in the videos The agency carried out the search related to the videos which have since been removed from Instagram The New Orleans Police Department commented it cannot confirm the authenticity of the videos circulating on social media seemingly showing a man with the same facial tattoos as Massey sitting near a kitchen Please I m asking for help declared Massey appealing to President Donald Trump and several rappers including Lil Wayne a New Orleans native in one video When I get back in custody I m asking y all please to come and help Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson called on Massey to come forward and turn himself in Related Articles Sean Diddy Combs paid to hide Cassie beating video because he feared career ruin witness says Colorado attack defendant backed off plan to kill all in a group he called Zionist police say Federal prisons must keep providing hormone therapy to transgender inmates a judge says What s in a name Hurricane season has begun and here are the storm names for In wake of deep cuts NOAA says it will hire for mission-critical weather amenity positions Cooperating with law enforcement is in his best interest and may help avoid additional charges Hutson announced in an emailed report It is key that justice is served appropriately and that due process is followed Massey faced charges of rape kidnapping domestic violence involving strangulation and violation of a protective order all stemming from a November circumstance St Tammany Parish officials say In Orleans Parish where he was incarcerated he faced charges of motor carriage theft and domestic battery Massey commented he is innocent A woman police identified as being in a relationship with Massey has suffered multiple alleged instances of physical abuse from him according to police reports and had a protective order against him last year court records show This woman has been arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and being a principle to aggravated escape Agents disclosed the woman knew of Massey s escape plans in advance communicated with him after his escape and misled officials Massey also claimed in the video that he had been let out of jail Footage and images circulated by bureaucrats show inmates yanking open a faulty cell door removing a toilet and crawling through a hole where steel bars had been cut They then scaled a barbed wire fence using blankets A maintenance worker charged with helping the incarcerated men escape has denied knowingly aiding them via his lawyer Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press Document for America Statehouse News Initiative Analysis for America is a nonprofit national system plan that places journalists in local newsrooms to overview on undercovered issues