NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Attorneys for Kilmar Abrega Garcia were in federal court Friday morning arguing their client's human smuggling charges should be dismissed for "vindictive" prosecution.

Abrego Garcia has been a point of national interest after he was deported to an El Salvadoran prison in March.

On Monday, a federal judge ruled there was a "realistic likelihood" of vindictive prosecution of Abrego Garcia in a 16-page ruling.

His charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Putnam County. Federal authorities claim between around 2016 to 2025, Abrego Garcia was involved in a human smuggling ring. He is accused of trafficking undocumented migrants to the U.S.

Friday's hearing focused on what evidence attorneys for Abrego Garcia could process through records access.

Abrego Garcia was

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