CUMBERLAND, Md. — Three people accused of participating in the cult-like group Zizians were granted a joint trial in Maryland on Tuesday and could be held at the Allegany County Detention Center for months longer than initially expected — but state and defense attorneys disagree on the reason why.

The disclosure by U.S. lawyer Jonathan Guynn contradicts statements by spokespeople for the Justice Department and the White House, who said last month that Abrego Garcia would stand trial and possibly spend time in an American prison before the government moves to deport him.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland has tapped Clement & Murphy co-founder Paul Clement to defend the legality of its habeas standing order that prevents hasty deportations of local detainees protected by the order.

Jamiek “Onion” Bassil, 32, and Charles “Cheese” Manson, 34, of D.C., were sentenced to 135 and 175 months in prison, respectively, for a drug trafficking conspiracy that supplied fentanyl, crack cocaine, and other substances throughout Northeast D.C., according to officials.

The new federal suit, filed Wednesday on behalf of three plaintiffs, seeks $300 million in damages — an amount that far exceeds caps imposed on claims filed in state court. It alleges Maryland juvenile justice leaders knew about a culture of abuse inside youth detention facilities and failed to address it, violating the plaintiffs’ civil rights.

US district judges in Maryland have hired top conservative litigator Paul Clement to defend them from a Justice Department lawsuit, according to court filings.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys argued in Wednesday's memo that he is not a flight risk, as prosecutors have argued. His attorneys say legal standards to keep him detained have not been met.

Jamiek “Onion” Bassil, 32, and Charles “Cheese” Manson, 34, of D.C., were sentenced to 135 and 175 months in prison, respectively, for a drug trafficking conspiracy that supplied fentanyl, crack cocaine, and other substances throughout Northeast D.C., according to officials.