Two teenage human smugglers were apprehended by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) during a high-speed chase in Maverick County as part of Operation Lone Star.
The incident occurred on May 4 at around 8:00 A.M. when DPS Troopers attempted to pull over a GMC Sierra on US 277 for a traffic violation. The driver, along with a passenger and three illegal immigrants, fled the scene and crashed into a ranch fence.
With the help of DPS’ Aircraft Operations Division, authorities located all five individuals. A handgun was found inside the stolen vehicle.
The driver, identified as Daniele Lopez-Vasquez, 19, from Austin, Texas, and passenger Brian Guzman, 19, from Del Valle, Texas, were arrested. They face charges including evading arrest, smuggling of persons, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
The illegal immigrants, including Gerardo Jose Ojeda-Montiel, 33, from Venezuela, who is wanted for murder in the US Virgin Islands, were handed over to the US Border Patrol.
