Federal Case Unfolds: Accused Trafficker Faces Decade-Long Sentence Per Victim
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a known MS-13 gang member and repeat offender with a record of domestic violence, pleaded not guilty on Friday in a Nashville federal court to human trafficking charges tied to a nearly decade-long operation transporting illegal aliens across the U.S.
Wearing a red jumpsuit, Abrego Garcia stood before a judge after a Tennessee grand jury indicted him last week on two counts:
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Conspiracy to transport aliens
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Unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens
The indictment outlines a trafficking ring involving co-conspirators in El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and across the United States, operating from 2016 through 2025.
High-Stakes Charges with Serious Consequences
The government emphasized the severity of the case, stating that each alien transported could carry a 10-year federal sentence, putting Abrego Garcia at risk of decades in prison if convicted.
Violent Allegations Surface
Federal prosecutors allege a disturbing history behind the trafficking:
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According to a government motion for detention, a co-conspirator implicated Abrego Garcia in the murder of a rival gang member’s mother.
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In 2022, bodycam footage—obtained by Fox News—shows Garcia actively engaged in a trafficking operation in Tennessee.
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ABC News further reported the government’s view that Garcia poses a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Deportation Looms if Convicted
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated last week that if convicted, Abrego Garcia will be deported to El Salvador following his prison sentence. Authorities describe him as a key MS-13 figure with transnational ties and a violent history.
Legal Battle Ahead
Despite the damning charges and federal calls for continued detention, Abrego Garcia is fighting for release pending trial—an effort prosecutors are vigorously opposing.
The case now moves toward pretrial motions and detention hearings, with federal authorities signaling they will use every legal avenue to ensure Abrego Garcia remains in custody.