NEW: DEA Vet Ends ‘Maryland Man’ Hoax, Confirms Abrego Garcia’s MS-13 Tattoos

A new revelation from a retired DEA veteran is shedding light on a story that’s stirred confusion in recent days. What was once brushed off as just another “Maryland man” headline now appears far more serious than originally reported.

During Monday’s U.S. Senate confirmation hearing, Terrence Cole — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration — addressed the growing controversy surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the alleged MS-13 gang member deported to El Salvador. Cole, who has extensive field experience as a DEA agent and currently serves as Virginia’s public safety administrator, responded confidently to questions from Sen. Lindsey Graham about gang affiliation and Garcia’s now-infamous knuckle tattoos. Describing MS-13 as a “terrorist organization” known for brutal crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking, and money laundering, Cole stated unequivocally that Garcia’s tattoos signaled a clear link to the violent gang.

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When asked to interpret photos of Garcia’s hand tattoos, Cole detailed how specific symbols — including a leaf representing marijuana, a smiley face, stars, and the number “13” — are commonly associated with MS-13 members. “Those are his markings. That’s his brand,” Cole said, asserting that based on his experience, such tattoos are often used by gang members to signify allegiance. Graham, skeptical of claims that Garcia was wrongfully deported, pressed further, and Cole confirmed that the indicators were consistent with long-established MS-13 identifiers seen throughout Latin America.

The confirmation comes amid a heated political debate sparked by Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) recent trip to El Salvador, where he visited Garcia in prison and claimed the man was being unfairly targeted. Several Democratic lawmakers rallied to Garcia’s defense, referring to him as a “Maryland man,” and raised concerns over potential due process violations. However, their efforts have drawn criticism from both Republicans and within their own party, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly urging Democrats to back away from the case.

Additional reports have cast further doubt on Garcia’s innocence. Aside from the tattoos, Fox News recently reported that Garcia had been stopped in 2022 while allegedly transporting victims of human trafficking. Over a three-year period, his ex-wife reportedly called emergency services multiple times to express fear for her safety and her children’s, citing violent behavior. Her previous husband also accused Garcia of being a gang member in a custody battle, saying his ex was “dating a gang member.”

In a recent interview with ABC News, President Trump doubled down on his administration’s position, rejecting calls to intervene with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to secure Garcia’s release. “He’s not a nice guy,” Trump said, emphasizing that Garcia’s tattoos alone were evidence of his gang ties. When pressed by the journalist that the tattoos were only “interpreted” that way, Trump responded, “Wait a minute — he had ‘MS-13’ on his knuckles.”

Cole’s testimony is expected to bolster the administration’s stance on stricter immigration enforcement and high-profile deportations, especially in cases involving suspected gang activity. The Garcia controversy has now become a flashpoint in the broader debate over border policy, gang enforcement, and what kind of evidence should be considered sufficient to label someone a threat to national security.

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