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.
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