Report: Kilmar Abrego-Garcia May Have Made $100k a Year Human Trafficking

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Court proceedings began this week for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man accused of participating in an alleged human smuggling operation, with prosecutors presenting testimony and evidence related to a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office opened the case by calling Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Peter T. Joseph to the stand. The focus of Joseph’s testimony centered on body camera footage from a Nashville traffic stop involving Abrego-Garcia, during which law enforcement made several observations that raised concerns.

According to authorities, Abrego Garcia told officers he was traveling from St. Louis to Maryland for a construction job. He told them that his driver’s license had expired and that the Chevy Suburban he was driving belonged to his employer. Officers say they noted what they claim to be several inconsistencies, including the absence of luggage or construction tools in the vehicle, despite the explanation given.

Authorities say inside the Suburban, which had been modified to include a fourth row of seating, were 10 individuals. Officers had each passenger write down their name and date of birth. Six of the nine passengers were identified as undocumented immigrants. One passenger reportedly listed a birth year of 2007, indicating they were 15 years old at the time. more