KCSO makes two arrests for Human Smuggling after brief chase

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Department made two arrests this week for Human Smuggling after a Kerr County deputy responded to a report of a reckless driver traveling eastbound on Interstate 10. The driver was reported to be driving at a high rate of speed with people seen lying down in the bed of the pickup truck before it exited just south of I-10, according to a press release.

Upon making contact with the driver, the deputy observed multiple Hispanic males in the bed of the truck and inside the cab of the vehicle. As the deputy was interviewing the driver, reports state that several of the Hispanic males began exiting the truck and fleeing on foot.

Five of the Hispanic males obeyed the deputy’s commands, remaining inside the pickup truck. At this time, additional KCSO deputies and Kerrville Police officers assisted in conducting a search of the area in an attempt to locate the individual(s) who had fled the scene.

The press release states that soon after, employees of a nearby business reported seeing a gold Chevrolet truck driven by a woman, pick up an Hispanic male who had been seen hiding out in the area before then heading eastbound on I-10. A KPD officer stopped the truck and tied the two incidents together, revealing that both of the drivers had been working together in the illegal smuggling of persons.

Adrian Noel Rangel, 37, of Austin, was arrested on twelve counts of Human Smuggling, a third-degree felony. Rangel was booked into the Kerr County Jail, where he is being held on a $360,000 bond.

Kristine Nicole Gragg, 43, of Pflugerville, was arrested on one count of Human Smuggling, one charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1>=4G<200G, and one count of Prohibited Substance or Item in a Correctional Facility.

Six illegal immigrants were detained and later released to the Border Patrol. Additional charges may be added or modified prior to trial.

“Again this week, human smuggling is touching Kerr County, putting the lives of everyone involved at risk,” said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. “The criminal organizations at the center of these cases are well-orchestrated and becoming more brazen in their disregard for public safety.”