Kilmar Abrego Garcia facing smuggling charges: US Attorney General Pam Bondi

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference at the Justice Department, Feb. 12, 2025, in Washington.

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The press conference has ended. Click here for more coverage of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S.

(NewsNation) — United States Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is returning to face federal charges.

Bondi announced a federal grand jury had uncovered details about Garcia’s alleged involvement in a smuggling ring, and was part of an operation that brought MS-13 gang members to the U.S.

The attorney general claimed Garcia trafficked men, women and children. His wife and lawyer have denied accusations that he was a trafficker.

Co-conspirators alleged Garcia also trafficked child pornography and participated in a conspiracy to murder a rival gang member’s mother.

“This is what American justice looks like,” Bondi said.

Bondi said the U.S. presented El Salvador with an arrest warrant and agreed to release him.

If convicted, Bondi said he would be returned to El Salvador after serving his sentence in the U.S.

This is a developing story. NewsNation will update the story when more information becomes available.

Politics

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