Authorities in Tennessee have unveiled troubling body camera footage from a 2022 traffic stop involving Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, an undocumented immigrant and suspected member of the notorious MS-13 gang. This individual has been linked to serious crimes, including domestic violence and human trafficking, yet was released under orders from the FBI, as directed by the Biden administration.
The incident occurred on November 30, 2022, when the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) stopped Abrego-Garcia for erratic driving. Upon approaching the vehicle, troopers were taken aback to find eight male passengers crammed inside.
Initially, Abrego-Garcia claimed he was on his way from St. Louis to his home in Maryland, but later changed his story to suggest he was heading to another location for âconstruction work.â Interestingly, all passengers provided the same address as Abrego-Garcia, yet there was a conspicuous absence of luggageâan indicator that raised red flags regarding potential human trafficking. Additionally, troopers discovered $1,400 in cash on him, likely indicative of smuggling transactions, and an invalid Maryland driverâs license.
âHeâs hauling these people for money,â one trooper remarked in the bodycam footage, which was obtained by Fox News Digital through a public records request.
When questioned about the ownership of the vehicle, Abrego-Garcia stated it belonged to his âboss.â It was later revealed that this âbossâ was Jose Ramon Hernandez Reyes, a convicted human trafficker who had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle illegal aliens across the U.S. and was sentenced in 2020. This shocking detail was corroborated when The Tennessee Star acquired incriminating court documents.
Despite the overwhelming evidenceâcash, a fraudulent driverâs license, inconsistent statements, gang ties, and a pattern consistent with known trafficking operationsâICE failed to take any action when contacted, as reported by Fox News.
After Abrego-Garcia was taken into custody, THP sought guidance from the FBI. In a baffling turn of events, the FBI instructed the troopers to release him, a decision that defies comprehension. Following orders, THP complied, and Abrego-Garcia was set freeâuntil his eventual deportation to El Salvadorâs Terrorist Confinement Center (CECOT) last month, which occurred long after he should have been detained.
Video via Fox News:
Prior to this incident, on March 28, 2019, Abrego-Garcia faced arrest along with three others by the Prince Georgeâs County Police Department for loitering.
During that arrest, Abrego-Garcia sported a Chicago Bulls cap and a hoodie emblazoned with imagery depicting rolls of money obscuring the eyes, ears, and mouths of U.S. presidentsâan outfit police noted as emblematic of Hispanic gang culture, particularly associated with MS-13.
The phrase inscribed on the clothing, âver, oir y callarâ (see no evil, hear no evil, say no evil), was identified as a symbol of MS-13 affiliation.
A reliable confidential informant labeled Abrego-Garcia as an active MS-13 member belonging to the âWesterns clique,â with the rank of âChequeoâ and the alias âChele.â Meanwhile, among the group was Christhyan Hernandez-Romero, recognized as a known MS-13 member with a substantial criminal background.
Another associate, Jose Guillermo Dominguez, displayed tattoos indicative of higher-ranking MS-13 membership.
Previous reports by also highlighted two protective orders filed by Jennifer Vasquez Sura against her husband, Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, citing domestic violence. The first order was submitted in August 2020, followed by a second in May 2021.
The 2020 protective order detailed alarming incidents, including Abrego-Garcia taking her phone, attempting to commandeer her car, locking their children in a room, and physically assaulting her when she sought assistance. Sura managed to call 911 only after retrieving her phone from the car, only for Abrego-Garcia to destroy the phone in front of officers upon their arrival.
Sura conveyed in her report, âThis is not the first time. He has repeatedly taken my phone and car, leaving me unable to reach out for help. I have photos documenting the injuries he has inflicted on me. My children and I are terrified. He has kicked, pushed, and slapped me. He has threatened me, and I possess a recording of him telling my ex-mother-in-law that even if he kills me, no one can do anything to him.â
The 2021 protective order against Abrego-Garcia confirmed that he had âpunched and scratchedâ Vasquez and âripped off her shirt, grabbed her, and caused bruising.â He was subsequently prohibited from contacting Vasquez or entering her residence and was ordered to vacate the premises. Additionally, he was mandated to maintain distance from Vasquezâs motherâs home.
Furthermore, a 2018 emergency custody petition, first reported by Fox 45 News, filed by Edwin Trejo Ramos in Prince Georgeâs County Circuit Court, raised disturbing allegations involving concerns over Jennifer Vasquez Suraâs erratic behavior, a suicide attempt, and her decision to leave their children with an 11-year-old babysitter.
âShe is dating a gang member,â Ramos explicitly stated in his plea for an emergency hearing, which was ultimately denied and dismissed in early 2019 on jurisdictional grounds, as reported by The New York Post.