The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to the Daily Caller that Kilmar Abrego García, a recently deported alleged member of MS-13, was stopped in December 2022 on suspicion of human trafficking.
During a Dec. 1, 2022 traffic stop by a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer, Abrego García was found to be transporting eight passengers across the country, sources told the Tennessee Star. He allegedly did not have a valid driver’s license and was suspected of trafficking the passengers but was let go at the request of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Documents from Homeland Investigations provided to the Daily Caller reveal more details about the encounter.
Abrego García was pulled over because the vehicle was observed “speeding and unable to maintain its lane,” according to the documents. Abrego García had an expired Maryland “limited term temporary driver’s license,” which is provided to individuals who are not U.S. citizens, authorities said.
The officer identified eight other individuals in the vehicle and Abrego García advised that he was driving them from Texas to Maryland, according to the documents. None of the passengers had any luggage and all provided the same home address, which was Abrego Garcia’s address, authorities said.
Abrego García allegedly pretended to speak less English than he was capable of and attempted to confuse the officer by responding to the officer’s questions with his own.
Abrego García also said the owner of the vehicle was his “boss,” who works in construction, authorities said.
The officer attempted to gather details about the other passengers but was not able to read their handwriting, according to the documents, and Abrego García was given a warning for driving on an expired license.
DHS also advised the Caller that Abrego García is on the Threat Screening Center’s Transnational Organized Crime Watchlist.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a gang field interview sheet Wednesday that contained evidence that Abrego García is a member of MS-13. Two immigration judges denied Abrego García bond during 2019 hearings, affirming the government’s claim that he is MS-13 and citing him as a potential danger to the community. (RELATED: DOJ Releases Dossier Of Deported Maryland Man’s Alleged MS-13 Gang Ties)
Abrego García was given a withholding of removal by a separate immigration judge, meaning he could not be deported to El Salvador due to concerns of persecution by Barrio 18, a rival gang to MS-13. The Trump administration said they made an “administrative error” when Abrego García was removed to El Salvador. He is currently being held in the country’s CECOT prison.
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