Kilmar Abrego Garcia was released from Putnam County Jail in Tennessee Friday, and plans to return to his family in Maryland while he awaits trial, CBS News has learned.

It's the latest development in the case of a man who was mistakenly removed from the U.S. to an El Salvador prison where he alleges he was tortured . A Salvadoran who was initially detained in March before being sent to El Salvador, Abrego Garcia returned to the U.S. in June to face criminal charges in Tennessee. The Justice Department has accused him of smuggling and gang membership, allegations his family denies. He pleaded not guilty to two criminal counts of human smuggling last month.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, center, leaves the Putnam County Jail, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Cookeville, Tenn. Brett Car

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