Federal judge in Tennessee dismiss charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia

(NBC, KYMA) - A federal judge in Tennessee has dismissed the criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, finding the investigation into his alleged involvement with human trafficking was "tainted."

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw wrote, in his decision, that the investigation against Abrego Garcia in Tennessee was only launched to justify the government's decision to deport him to El Salvador.

Prosecutors in the Middle District of Tennessee were investigating Abrego Garcia with the support of the Justice Department.

The Trump Administration repeatedly claimed Abrego Garcia was affiliated with the MS-13 gang, based on a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.

He pleaded not guilty to those accusations.