Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from jail, facing human trafficking trial, possible deportation to Uganda.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, aka Maryland Man, was returned to the Unites States after being deported to El Salvador. He is currently awaiting trial on a charge of human trafficking but was released from jail on Friday.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was released from jail in Tennessee on Friday so he can rejoin his family in Maryland while awaiting trial on human smuggling charges.
Although Abrego Garcia was deemed eligible for pretrial release, he had remained in jail at the request of his attorneys, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed. Those fears were somewhat allayed by a recent ruling in a separate case in Maryland, which requires immigration officials to allow Abrego Garcia time to mount a challenge to any deportation order.
Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges, which stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. Body camera footage from a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer shows a calm exchange with Abrego Garcia. There were nine passengers in the car, and the officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling.
Meanwhile, one of his attorneys says the government offered him a deal: Plead guilty to the two trafficking charges and they would deport him to Costa Rica.
