KERRVILLE, Texas – A 33-year-old man has been arrested in Kerrville after he allegedly smuggled two people and led Kerr County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a high-speed vehicle chase last Wednesday.
David Jarrett Klaiber of Beeville, Texas, was taken into custody.
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According to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, deputies had been conducting a narcotics and human smuggling investigation when they found and pursued a suspicious vehicle. That’s when, deputies say, they followed the sedan as it merged onto a highway, and then a chase ensued, reaching speeds of over 110 mph.
The KCSO said the chase lasted for roughly 15 minutes before the sedan ultimately went off the road near Kerrville. Klaiber, the man driving the vehicle, tried to run on foot, but was caught by a KCSO deputy, officials said.
Inside the vehicle, authorities found two undocumented immigrants and both were detained and then released to US Border Patrol.
“Our interdiction team does a great job, not just for Kerr County, but for everywhere in Texas affected by this criminal activity,” KCO Sheriff Larry Leitha said. “This case highlights the integration of activities shared between human smugglers and the drug trade. Despite the extreme threat to public safety this individual posed, everyone was able to leave this event safely. That’s not always the case and we urge the public to stay aware of their surroundings on the highway.”
Klaiber was also found to be carrying 1.4 ounces of marijuana, 13.8 grams of methamphetamine, as well as drug paraphernalia, the sheriff’s office said.
Klaiber has since been charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance, evading arrest in a motor vehicle and two counts of smuggling of persons. His bond is set at $130,000.
KCSO said Klaiber also has charges pending for burglary, theft of a firearm, and possession of a controlled substance from both Live Oak and Bee counties.