NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans jail escapee Derrick Groves, who spent nearly five months on the run before being captured in Georgia, agreed to be returned to Louisiana in a Thursday court appearance.
“I want to return where I’m from,” Groves, a New Orleans native, told a Fulton County magistrate judge during the televised hearing.
Groves, who was caught Wednesday in the basement crawlspace of an Atlanta home, waived his right to an extradition hearing.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said there are “ongoing discussions about the next steps” for bringing Groves back to the state.
A timeline to bring the 28-year-old to the state has not yet been determined, said Sgt. Kate Stegall, a spokesperson with Louisiana State Police. Once returned, Groves will be placed in the state’s maximum security prison in Angola, a Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections spokesperson said.
Groves was already charged with one count of simple escape in June and will be arraigned when he's back in Louisiana, Murrill said. The charges carry a two to five year sentence.
Murrill said Wednesday she is considering upgrading Groves’ charge to aggravated escape — which carries a five to 10 year sentence — given that authorities found a handgun, a shotgun and 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of marijuana inside the Atlanta home where Groves had been hiding.
In May, Groves and nine other New Orleans jail inmates removed a toilet and crawled through a hole, writing “To Easy LoL” on the wall above to commemorate their brazen escape. The other escapees, who were all recaptured within six weeks, were also charged with simple scape.
Groves already faces life imprisonment after being convicted of murder last year for gunning down two people during a family block party on Mardi Gras day in 2018.
Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
FILE - This undated handout photo shows Derrick D. Groves, one of the inmates who escaped from a New Orleans jail on May 16, 2025. (Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office via AP, File)
FILE - Derrick Groves sits in a police vehicle after being taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and Atlanta police at a southwest Atlanta home, Oct. 8, 2025. (Ben Hendren/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, file)
LEIPZIG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--
Antech™, a global veterinary diagnostics company, today announced that Antech Academy, one of the largest and longest running continuous veterinary education platforms in Europe, proudly marks its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of unwavering commitment to supporting veterinary professionals in continuously improving their clinical expertise through high-quality, relevant education.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115872999/en/
For over 20 years, Antech Academy has been dedicated to empowering a growing community of over 25,000 veterinarians with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve accurate diagnoses and deliver the best possible treatments to their patients.
Key topics
The Antech Academy curriculum covers key disciplines encountered in daily practice, including internal medicine, clinical pathology/medical biology, oncology, dermatology, anesthesia, neurology, surgery, emergency & critical care, reproduction, infectious diseases, cardiology, genetics, exotic pets, ophthalmology, bacteriology, and more.
Innovative training formats across Europe
To meet veterinary practitioners’ evolving needs, Antech Academy blends theoretical learning with hands-on practice:
Courses are led by highly qualified veterinary specialists who are passionate about sharing their expertise with exceptional pedagogical quality.
20 years of impact in Germany, France and Belgium
Since its inception in Germany, Antech Academy has forged strong partnerships with over 100 veterinary practitioners and specialists nationwide.
Over the past two decades, its training programs have become a benchmark for excellence, with over 8000 veterinarians benefiting from scientific sessions, hands-on workshops, and advanced courses. These initiatives have strengthened expertise, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and improved patient care throughout the country.
In 2025, over 1,600 veterinary professionals in Germany attended Antech Academy courses, all of which are ATF-certified.
Over 13,000 French-speaking veterinarians attended Antech Academy live webinars in 2025, with more than 35,000 total connections throughout the year – all led by over 50 expert veterinary trainers.
Antech has also partnered with leading veterinary institutions such as L'École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (EnvA) and ULB HeLSci to develop and deliver the continuous education offering.
Sign up with Antech Academy during Leipzig Veterinary Congress
Veterinary professionals signing up for Antech Academy webinars or courses during Leipzig Veterinary Congress (15-17 January) will receive a special 25% discount.
About Antech
Antech is a global veterinary diagnostics company driven by its passion for innovation that helps veterinarians deliver better animal health outcomes. Antech products and services span a wide network of reference laboratories across the globe; in-house diagnostic laboratory instruments and consumables, including rapid assay diagnostic products and digital cytology services; local and cloud-based data services; practice information management software and related software and support; veterinary imaging and technology; veterinary professional education and training; and board-certified specialist support services. For more information, please visit antechdiagnostics.com.
Antech Academy: 20 years of advancing continuous veterinary education in Europe
Antech Academy: 20 years of advancing continuous veterinary education in Europe
