Two men facing murder charges in Lafayette, Louisiana, escaped from the River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence along with four other detainees late Thursday night. The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed the escape, but additional details remain scarce.
Among the escapees, Kopelon Vicknair, 18, from Arnaudville, was scheduled for sentencing on March 5, 2025. Vicknair had signed a plea agreement, reducing his charge to manslaughter in exchange for a 10-year sentence, as indicated in a sentencing brief filed by his attorney. His co-defendant, Kolin Looney, 21, is charged with second-degree murder stemming from a separate incident. Looney’s trial was initially set for August 2025 but has been postponed to March 9, 2025.
The other four escapees include Destin Brogan, 22, who faces charges of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice; Krisean Salinas, who has multiple charges across four parishes, including aggravated flight from an officer; Kevin Slaughter, 25, who is charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and various parole violations; and Trenton Taplin, 29, who faces attempted second-degree murder charges.
Following the escape, the U.S. Marshals have launched a search for the inmates. Liz Murrill, the Louisiana Attorney General, has offered her office’s assistance in the search. “I have been in contact with East Carroll Sheriff Wydette Williams and Sheriffs’ Association President Kevin Cobb, and have offered the full assistance of my office, including the Fugitive Apprehension Unit. I am actively monitoring the situation,” Murrill stated.
This incident follows a previous escape in which ten inmates fled from a New Orleans jail last spring. That escape garnered national attention and resulted in a prolonged search, concluding in October 2023 with the apprehension of the final fugitive, Derrick Groves, in Atlanta.
As authorities continue their efforts to recapture the escapees, the incident raises concerns about security measures at detention facilities across the region. The East Carroll Parish community remains on high alert as investigations proceed.
