Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a construction worker from Maryland, has said he is innocent of human smuggling charges in a Tennessee federal court. His lawyers believe the charges are an effort to justify his incorrect deportation to El Salvador in March. The case began after the Supreme Court ordered his return because of growing pressure. Abrego Garcia's defense team doubted the honesty of government witnesses, suggesting they cooperated to receive immigration favors. The charges come from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee where Abrego Garcia was driving nine passengers, which made authorities suspect smuggling. However, he was only given a warning and allowed to leave. Before the hearing, U.S. attorneys said Abrego Garcia was a danger to the community and might try to escape. They accused him of selling drugs and weapons, and of treating women he transported badly. These charges led to Ben Schrader, who was the head of the criminal division at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, leaving his job.