Kilmar Abrego Garcia returns to U.S. to face reported migrant smuggling charges

Tennessee authorities release body camera video of traffic stop involving Kilmar Abrego-Garcia

The Tennessee Highway Patrol released body camera video of its 2022 encounter with illegal immigrant Abrego-Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador's Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT).

A Salvadoran national deported under President Trump is now on his way back to the United States as an accused criminal.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Tennessee on charges related to an alleged decade-long conspiracy to transport illegal migrants, including some tied to the violent MS-13 gang, across the United States.

Abrego Garcia allegedly moved illegal immigrants from Texas to interior states, in what courts say was an organized operation stretching back years. 

DEPORTED ALLEGED GANG MEMBER ABREGO GARCIA 'WILL NEVER BE ON AMERICAN STREETS AGAIN,' DHS SAYS

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran illegal migrant who was deported to El Salvador, is seen wearing a Chicago Bulls hat, in this handout (Abrego Garcia Family/Handout via REUTERS)

Children were among those allegedly trafficked. The indictment, filed under seal last month, includes two felony counts.

Fox News Digital obtained Tennessee Highway Patrol bodycam footage from a 2022 traffic stop where troopers pulled over Garcia for speeding. Inside his vehicle were eight other men, raising immediate suspicions. "He’s hauling these people for money," one trooper said.

Troopers found $1,400 in cash and flagged Garcia in the National Crime Information Center, which returned a gang/terrorism alert. ICE was called, but never showed up.

This development comes after controversy erupted in March when Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador, a move many politicians on the Left claimed was unjust. 

KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA SUSPECTED OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN REPORT OBTAINED BY FOX NEWS

However, according to the Trump administration, Abrego Garcia’s deportation stemmed from MS-13 affiliations. His lawyers dispute the gang connection.

ABC reports that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in direct contact with El Salvador’s president Bukele to coordinate Garcia’s return to U.S. custody.

Abrego Garcia was reportedly sent to the notorious CECOT mega-prison in El Salvador after deportation, despite a 2019 court order temporarily blocking his removal due to claimed fears of persecution. 

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The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Fox News' Adam Sabes contributed to this report.

Jasmine is a writer at Fox News Digital and a military spouse based in New Orleans. Stories can be sent to [email protected]

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