DEL RIO – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), as part of Operation Lone Star, arrested two teenage human smugglers transporting three illegal immigrants, including one wanted for murder, after a high-speed pursuit in Maverick County.

Just after 8:00 A.M. on May 4, DPS Troopers were led on a high-speed pursuit by the driver of a GMC Sierra who failed to stop for a traffic violation on US 277. After driving into a ranch fence, the driver, passenger and three illegal immigrants bailed out of the vehicle. With assistance from DPS’ Aircraft Operations Division, Troopers on the ground located all five individuals. Additionally, Troopers located a handgun inside the vehicle and learned that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Austin.

The driver, Daniele Lopez-Vasquez, 19, of Austin, Texas, and passenger, Brian Guzman, 19, of Del Valle, Texas, were arrested and charged with evading arrest, smuggling of persons, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Both were transported to the Val Verde Temporary Processing Center.

All three illegal immigrants were referred to US Border Patrol, including one identified as Gerardo Jose Ojeda-Montiel, 33, of Venezuela. Ojeda-Montiel is wanted for murder out of the US Virgin Islands.

### (DPS - South Texas Region)