Two Laredoans arrested after broadcasting smuggling attempt on Facebook Live

Screenshots taken from the live video posted on Facebook show Karyme Espinoza, 19, and a group of passengers who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Screenshots taken from the live video posted on Facebook show Karyme Espinoza, 19, and a group of passengers who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Photo: Facebook.com Photo: Facebook.com Image 1 of / 80 Caption Close Two Laredoans arrested after broadcasting smuggling attempt on Facebook Live 1 / 80 Back to Gallery

Two people who broadcast their alleged human smuggling attempt on Facebook Live have been arrested, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

READ MORE: Laredo driver, suspected smuggler evades DPS, crashes into post after trooper attempts traffic stop

Troopers identified the duo as Alejandro Vela, 22, and Karyme Espinoza, 19. Both are from Laredo.

Vela was charged with evading arrest with vehicle, evading arrest on foot, unlawful transport of a person for pecuniary benefit and reckless driving.

Espinoza was charged with unlawful transport of a person for pecuniary benefit and evading arrest on foot. U.S. Border Patrol agents took custody of three passengers who were suspected of entering the country illegally.

The incident unfolded at about 3:58 p.m. Oct. 25 on U.S. 83 in San Ygnacio in Zapata County. A trooper tried to pull over a 2010 Mercedes-Benz sport utility vehicle for a traffic violation.

DPS said the vehicle refused to stop and started to evade at high speeds while traveling north of U.S. 83 toward Laredo. The vehicle approached the Webb and Zapata County line and made a U-turn to travel back to San Ygnacio.

Authorities said the vehicle reached Zapata and turned onto Texas 16. With the assistance of the Zapata County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Texas 16 and FM 649 Road.

The driver and passengers took off running. Border Patrol assisted in locating the driver, who was identified as Vela, and the passenger, who was identified as Espinoza.

Espinoza used her Facebook account under the name of “Na Mo” to broadcast the pursuit live.

In it, Vela can be heard saying, “I got immigration on my ass” to an uncle. Vela asked the uncle to open the gate to his ranch so could evade law enforcement. But the “tío” was not home, according to the recording.

Espinoza can also be heard allegedly bragging about the suspected human smuggling attempt.

READ MORE: Records reveal disturbing details after LPD officer suspected of texting child sex abuse victim

“Hey, I’m live on Facebook,” she says as she poses with the immigrants. The 10-minute video has since gone viral.