We've received more details from US immigration officials about the man who escaped from the Pine Prairie prison yesterday and was recaptured last night.
A release from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) says that Konstantin Lavrentev, 28, a Russian national, originally was stopped trying to enter the US illegally in California back in April. He was transferred to Pine Prairie in May, and in August an immigration judge ordered him deported back to Russia.
Lavrentev now faces charges in the Western District of Louisiana related to the escape from an institution or officer, and an individual who connives or conspires, or takes any other action to prevent or hamper or prevent their removal from the United States, the release states.
Earlier Friday, the Evangeline Parish Sheriff provided more details this morning in the escape.
Lavrentev escaped from the prison Thursday afternoon, and was recaptured near Turkey Creek late Thursday evening.
Deputies tell us that Lavrentev was being held for Illegal entry into the United States. He was seeking asylum, deputies say.
Thursday night, after 10 p.m., the sheriff's office got a call from a motorist who saw a male hitchhiker without a shirt near the Crooked Creek Parkway, off Veteran Memorial Highway. That's north of Pine Prairie.
Deputies responded to the area, and found Lavrentev, who surrendered without incident and was transported back to the prison.
