Fact Check: "The charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee during which Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with eight passengers."
What We Know
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was involved in a traffic stop in Tennessee in 2022, during which he was driving a vehicle with eight passengers. The incident occurred when he was pulled over for speeding. According to reports, the Tennessee Highway Patrol officers suspected human trafficking due to the number of passengers and the absence of luggage. The officers noted that Abrego Garcia had $1,400 in an envelope, which raised their suspicions further. However, he was never charged with any crime and was allowed to continue driving after receiving a warning for an expired driver's license (AP News, DHS Report).
Analysis
The claim that the charges stem from a traffic stop involving a vehicle with eight passengers is accurate. The body-camera footage released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol corroborates this, showing a calm interaction between the officers and Abrego Garcia, who explained that he was transporting workers to a construction site (AP News). While the officers expressed concerns about potential human trafficking, no formal charges were ever filed against him as a result of this encounter.
The credibility of the sources is strong. The AP News article provides direct quotes and details from the body-camera footage, while the DHS report offers an official account of the incident, further confirming the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop (DHS Report, AP News). Both sources are reputable and provide a factual basis for understanding the events that transpired.
It is important to note that despite the officers' suspicions, the lack of evidence leading to charges indicates that the initial concerns did not materialize into any legal action against Abrego Garcia. His attorney has also stated that there was no evidence of a crime in the released footage (PBS).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee during which Abrego Garcia was driving a vehicle with eight passengers is true. The details provided by reliable sources confirm that the traffic stop occurred as described, and while there were suspicions of human trafficking, no charges were filed against him.
