Fact Check: "Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with eight passengers during a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee."
What We Know
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was indeed pulled over during a traffic stop in Tennessee in 2022 while driving a vehicle with eight passengers. According to a report by the Associated Press, he was stopped for speeding and mentioned that the group had been working in Missouri. The body-camera footage from the stop shows a conversation between Abrego Garcia and officers, who expressed suspicions of human trafficking due to the number of passengers and the lack of luggage. The officers noted that he had $1,400 in cash, which further raised their suspicions (DHS Report, ABC News).
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security later released a report detailing this encounter, which confirmed that Abrego Garcia was driving with eight passengers at the time of the stop (DHS Report).
Analysis
The claim that Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with eight passengers during the traffic stop is supported by multiple credible sources. The body-camera footage and the subsequent reports from law enforcement confirm the details of the stop, including the number of passengers in the vehicle. The Associated Press and ABC News both corroborate this information, stating that he was indeed stopped while driving a vehicle with eight individuals.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations that adhere to journalistic standards. The DHS report adds an official layer of verification, detailing the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop and the officers' suspicions. Furthermore, the ongoing legal proceedings against Abrego Garcia, including charges related to human smuggling, lend additional context to the situation, although they do not directly impact the veracity of the claim regarding the traffic stop itself.
Critically, while there are allegations against Abrego Garcia regarding human trafficking, it is essential to note that he was not charged at the time of the traffic stop and was allowed to continue driving with a warning about his expired driver's license (DHS Report). This nuance highlights the importance of distinguishing between the events of the traffic stop and the subsequent legal implications.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Kilmar Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with eight passengers during a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm this detail, including video evidence and official reports from law enforcement agencies. The context of the stop, including the officers' suspicions, does not negate the factual accuracy of the claim.
Sources
- DHS Releases Bombshell Investigative Report on Kilmar Abrego Garcia
- Video released of Kilmar Abrego Garcia traffic stop in 2022
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia brought back to US, appears in court on charges of smuggling migrants
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to human smuggling charges
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to human smuggling charges
- Justice Department investigating 2022 Abrego Garcia traffic stop
- Video of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's 2022 traffic stop released by ...
- Abrego Garcia claims he's been denied due process as he sits in Nashville federal court
