Kilmar Abrego Garcia Pleads Not Guilty To Human Smuggling Charges In Tennessee Federal Court

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – APRIL 17: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) In this handout provided by Sen. Van Hollen’s Office, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) meets with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia (L) at an undisclosed location on April 17, 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador. Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident, was illegally deported by the Trump administration and has been held in prison in El Salvador since March 15. (Photo by Sen. Van Hollen’s Office via Getty Images)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to human smuggling charges in federal court in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador who had been living in Maryland before he was wrongfully deported in March. He was returned to the U.S. last week to face the smuggling charges. A federal agent testified at Friday’s hearing that witnesses saw Abrego Garcia trafficking people, guns or drugs. But his public defenders said the witnesses had cooperated to get favors regarding their immigration status or criminal charges they were facing. A judge is yet to rule on whether Abrego Garcia should be released while awaiting trial.