Metro’s ‘Most Wanted’: Rape, assault suspect in custody after year-long search

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of Nashville’s “Most Wanted” fugitives was taken into custody on Wednesday, ending a more than year-long search.

Ladonte Groves, 24, was wanted on eight outstanding warrants related to alleged sex crimes and domestic violence incidents, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

Court records show the charges against him stem from separate incidents — one of which happened over a year ago. In Oct. 2022, Metro Nashville police said Groves punched a woman who he was romantically involved with in the face.

In an arrest affidavit, officials said they were unable to locate Groves after the alleged assault. He was added to the police department’s “Top 10 Most Wanted” list about a year later after being indicted by a grand jury on charges for two counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery.

Then, as the search for Groves’ whereabouts continued, he was reportedly linked to another domestic incident involving the same victim from the 2022 case. On June 30, 2024, officers responded to a call regarding a “burglary in progress” at a home on South 4th Street.

When they arrived, officials said they found the woman standing outside of the home, but Groves had already taken off. The woman told police she had been in the kitchen when she heard five loud bangs at the door.

Surveillance footage from a nearby building showed Groves using a “donkey kick” to kick open the door and enter the house, according to an arrest affidavit. The woman said she went to hide in the kitchen closet before eventually coming out to grab her son and try to close the front door.

However, when she got to the door, the woman said Groves was already standing on the porch with his phone in one hand and a black pistol in the other. She was still holding her 1-year-old son in her arms when Groves allegedly pointed the pistol at them and told her, “I’ll kill you and myself.”

In the affidavit, investigators said Groves ran off after the woman yelled from somebody to call the police. Officers also noted observing damage to the front door and door frame, which they said was “consistent with the victim’s statements.”

Further review of surveillance footage also showed Groves holding what appeared to be a black handgun, detectives said.

Police were finally able to track Groves down on Wednesday, Sept. 4. Records show he was booked into jail around 9 p.m. that night for his outstanding rape and sexual battery warrants, as well as charges for domestic assault, aggravated burglary and two counts of aggravated assault.

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As of Thursday, Sept. 5, Groves was still behind bars with a $376,500 bond.

He is among at least 132 “Most Wanted” fugitives who have been arrested since the program was launched in October 2022. Investigators have largely attributed the program’s success to tips they’ve received from the public.

To view the most recent list of “Most Wanted” fugitives out of Nashville, click here .

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