On Friday morning (January 30), a prison break occurred at the River Bend Detention Center in northeastern Louisiana, where eight inmates escaped, three of whom are facing murder charges. The authorities are currently conducting a search operation.
Louisiana state police confirmed that all eight inmates were classified as “violent offenders” and were reported missing at 1:20 am on Friday.
It is currently unclear how these eight individuals managed to escape, and officials have not disclosed further details.
Three of the escaped inmates have been captured, identified as 27-year-old Hugo Molino, 29-year-old Trenton Taplin, and 31-year-old Savon Wheeler.
The remaining five inmates are still at large: 22-year-old Destin Brogan, 21-year-old Kelin Looney, 21-year-old Krisean Salinas, 25-year-old Kevin Slaughter, and 19-year-old Koplelon Vicknair.
According to local media outlet WAFB 9, Taplin, who has been captured, faces first-degree murder and attempted murder charges, while Brogan and Looney, who are still missing, both face second-degree murder charges. Vicknair, also missing, is awaiting sentencing for his alleged involvement in a homicide case from 2023, as reported by KQKI News.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill released a statement stating that she has been in contact with Wydette Williams, Sheriff of East Carroll Parish, and Kevin Cobb, President of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association.
Murrill stated, “My office, including the Fugitive Apprehension Team, will provide full assistance. I am closely monitoring the situation.”
The investigation will be led by the East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office, with detectives from the Louisiana State Police Monroe Field Office taking on the main responsibility for locating and apprehending the fugitives.
In a statement to the public, state police urged, “Do not approach them under any circumstances. If you see any trace of them or have information on their whereabouts, please contact law enforcement immediately.”
On December 23 of last year, the Pentagon announced that about 350 members of the Louisiana National Guard would be deployed across the state to combat the high rates of violent crime, particularly in metropolitan areas like New Orleans. Republican Governor Jeff Landry has expressed support for this initiative. The troops will remain deployed until February 28, 2026.
(Reference from FOX NEWS)