Man mistakenly deported to El Salvador pleads not guilty to human smuggling in Tennessee: Reports

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration nearly three months ago, has pleaded not guilty to alleged human smuggling charges, according to media reports Friday.

Abrego Garcia, 29, was brought back to the US for a court hearing after a federal grand jury indicted him for allegedly transporting undocumented migrants within the country.

He entered the plea during his Tennessee arraignment, where he faced a two-count indictment for allegedly transporting undocumented migrants from Mexico and Central America, including minors, for thousands of dollars.

US prosecutors claimed that the scheme involved moving thousands of noncitizens from Texas to various parts of the country over several years.

Prosecutors further alleged that he was affiliated with the MS-13 gang and used intimidation to control others involved in the smuggling operation, including those who raised concerns about abuse of female migrants.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys dismissed the claims as baseless and argued that the charges do not justify pretrial detention, the reports noted.

They said their client is not a flight risk and has no history of obstructing justice or international travel in recent years.

The judge has yet to issue a ruling on the government’s motion for detention, according to reports.