In a bizarre twist to one of the most audacious prison escapes in Louisiana history, Antoine Massey, a fugitive who remains at large after breaking out of the Orleans Justice Center on May 16, has released a video begging President Donald Trump and rapper Lil Wayne for help—claiming he was “let out” rather than having “broken out.”
The plea, filmed while on the run, adds a surreal and controversial layer to the ongoing investigation, which has already led to the arrest of 14 people, including jail staff and outside accomplices.
“I Didn’t Break Out—I Was Let Out”
In the footage, Massey proclaims his innocence and alleges a deeper conspiracy within the prison system:
“They say that I broke out… I didn’t break out. I was let out.”
His statement appears to align with emerging evidence that the escape may have been facilitated from the inside. Authorities have charged a 33-year-old maintenance worker with disabling the toilet’s plumbing system to enable the escape route. Other individuals are accused of providing clothing, shelter, and transportation to the fugitives post-escape.
A Desperate Appeal to Trump and Lil Wayne
Massey then turns to two unlikely figures for help:
“People that been through the system, that know it’s corrupt. Lil Wayne, Donald Trump, please, I’m asking for help.”
The mention of Lil Wayne, who received a presidential pardon from Trump in 2021, and Trump himself, known for highlighting prison reform during his first term, is clearly strategic. Massey is attempting to reframe his case in the context of a corrupt system and wrongful prosecution—possibly angling for clemency, legal aid, or at least national attention.
Facing Serious Charges—and a History of Escapes
Massey faces multiple charges:
-
Domestic abuse by strangulation
-
Motor vehicle theft
-
Parole violation
He also claims to have a signed affidavit from the alleged victim retracting the assault accusation. However, this doesn’t negate the gravity of the charges or the fact that he is now a fugitive from justice.
This is not Massey’s first escape—he previously fled from the Youth Study Center in 2007, further raising doubts about his claims of innocence and mistaken identity.
Massive Jail Failure and a $50,000 Reward
The May 16 escape was a catastrophic failure for the Orleans Justice Center. Ten inmates used hair clippers and blankets to tunnel out of a wall behind a toilet and flee through a loading dock. The escape went unnoticed for more than seven hours, reportedly due to a staffer leaving his post to get food.
Since then, eight of the ten escapees have been recaptured. Authorities have warned that anyone aiding Massey or the remaining fugitive will face criminal charges. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office issued a statement directly responding to the viral video:
“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… Co-operating may help avoid additional charges.”
Conclusion: A Jailbreak, a Scandal, and a Media Frenzy
Massey’s video plea is more than a fugitive grasping at straws—it’s a reflection of the chaos engulfing the Louisiana justice system. With serious questions mounting about internal corruption, staffing failures, and inmate oversight, the incident has morphed from a security breach into a public crisis.
The strange mix of pop culture, politics, and prison reform now centers on a runaway inmate claiming he’s a victim—not a criminal. Whether it’s a cry for justice or a calculated PR stunt, one thing is certain:
This manhunt is far from over.
