When people search for Derrick Groves age, they often want both a number and context: who he is, why he’s known, and how reliable that age claim is. This article leads with the known age (28) and then delves into the evidence and context behind it.
How Derrick Groves’s Age Is Determined
Official & media sources
- Multiple reputable news outlets (WWNO, WDSU) refer to Groves as “28-year-old” in 2025.
- For example: “The 28-year-old had been in jail since 2019.”
- Some background sources trace his criminal record as far back as 2014, when he was reported to be age 17.
Claims of birth date
- A less authoritative site, Mabumbe, claims a birth date of June 19, 1997, which would make him 28 in mid-2025.
- Yet, I could not locate a definitive public record (e.g., birth certificate, court document) confirming that birth date from mainstream media or official sources.
Therefore, the most defensible age, based on multiple consistent news reports, is 28 years old as of mid-2025.
Early Life & Family Background
Origins
Derrick “Woo” Groves grew up in New Orleans, specifically the Lower Ninth Ward, a neighborhood with a complex socio-economic and historical context.
Grandmother’s murder & legacy
His grandmother, Kim Groves, was murdered in 1994 in a case linked to police corruption; the killing was ordered by a corrupt New Orleans police officer, Len Davis.
This traumatic family history often surfaces in media coverage, suggesting it shaped public interest in his life.
Education & early years
Groves reportedly dropped out during ninth grade.
By his teenage years, he was already engaged in illegal activity; by age 17, he faced attempted murder charges (though acquitted) in 2014.
Timeline of Criminal Cases & Convictions
Below is a succinct chronology of Groves’ known legal history.
| Year | Age (approx) | Charge / Event | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ~17 | Attempted second-degree murder | Acquitted by jury |
| 2019 | ~22 | Federal drug trafficking & various violent charges | Pleaded guilty to drug trafficking |
| 2018 (incident) / 2024 (conviction) | ~21 / 27 | Double murder at a Mardi Gras block party | Convicted in October 2024 of two counts of second-degree murder; other manslaughter pleas |
| 2024 | ~27 | Battery of correctional officer | Pleaded guilty |
| May 16, 2025 | 28 | Jail escape from Orleans Justice Center | Among 10 inmates, only Groves remains at large |
The timeline reinforces consistency: his legal troubles and associated ages align with the proposition that he is in his late 20s, especially 28.
The 2025 Jail Escape & Its Aftermath
One of the highest profile events tied to Derrick Groves is the jail escape on May 16, 2025.
Key points of the escape
- He was one of 10 inmates who escaped through a hole behind a toilet in the jail facility.
- By July 2025, nine of the ten had been recaptured; Groves remains at large.
- Authorities believe he might be aided by family, friends, or insiders; his former girlfriend, Darriana Burton (a former jail employee), has faced charges in connection with assisting escape efforts.
This escape has intensified public interest in Groves’s biography, including attempts to verify his age and background.
Public Uncertainty & Discrepancies
Despite widespread reporting of his age as 28, there remain uncertainties:
- The claimed birth date (June 19, 1997) from less prominent sources is not corroborated by major news outlets or official records accessible to the public.
- Earlier records (2014 attempted murder at “age 17”) provide a credible anchor, but age rounding or reporting inconsistencies in older articles create small mismatches.
- As Groves is a fugitive, direct verification (e.g. from jail intake records or birth certificates) is more difficult to confirm publicly.
Given these caveats, 28 is the most reliable current estimate, but it should be understood as based on secondary reporting rather than direct archival documentation.
Why Age Matters in Media & Legal Reporting
Relevance to legal context
- Age can affect how the public perceives levels of culpability, maturation, and motive.
- In criminal proceedings, age at the time of crime can impact sentencing or appeals.
- When reporting on fugitive cases, age is a basic identifier to distinguish among individuals.
Media reliability & framing
- Journalists and outlets often rely on previous reports or statements from law enforcement; an error in one source often propagates.
- High-profile fugitives like Groves attract many versions of their bios, contributing to conflicting info.
Psychological & social framing
- Characterizing Groves as young (late 20s) can frame his actions as a product of environment or systemic issues.
- Emphasizing his relative youth may influence public discourse on redemption, criminal justice reform, or pathologies of violence.
Therefore, accurately stating “Derrick Groves age” is more than trivia it shapes narratives and legal understanding.
Key Recent Developments on Derrick Groves
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On October 8, 2025, authorities arrested Groves in Atlanta, Georgia, in the crawl space beneath a home.
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A SWAT team had to use tear gas and a police dog to clear the area and force him out.
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He was taken into custody without reported serious injury.
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During a court appearance, Groves waived his extradition hearing, consenting to being sent back to Louisiana to face charges.
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In the proceedings, he reportedly said, “I want to return where I’m from.”
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He is now expected to face additional charges for escape, on top of the murder convictions and other charges he already had.
Conclusion
- The most consistently reported age for Derrick Groves is 28 years old as of 2025.
- This aligns with his criminal timeline (e.g. 17 in 2014) and his recent status post-conviction and escape.
- Some sources propose a specific birth date (June 19, 1997) that fits, but lack mainstream confirmation.
- Because Groves is currently a fugitive, access to primary records is limited, and all age claims derive from journalistic and legal documents.
If new court filings or archival records are released, they may either confirm or revise the age projection.
Also Read: Emily Deahl Age: What to Know
FAQs
Q1: Could Derrick Groves actually be older or younger than 28?
Yes. While 28 is the consensus among credible sources, minor reporting errors or rounding could mean he is slightly younger or older by months. Without primary records, that uncertainty remains.
Q2: Why isn’t his full birth record published in major news sources?
Because he is a fugitive, many verifying documents are not publicly released. Also, media often rely on law enforcement releases or court statements, which may not include birth certificates.
Q3: Does his age impact his criminal liability or chances of capture?
Age may be relevant in legal appeals (e.g. maturity or youth) but not in his fundamental guilt for crimes. Regarding capture, age itself is not a direct factor, though it might affect patterns of movement, physical capability, or connections.