So it turns out that one of the leaders of The United Constitutional Patriots is a felon and as such, was not allowed to wield guns, as he did when he apprehended illegals at the border.
So they’ve arrested him:
Larry Mitchell Hopkins, 69, of Flora Vista, N.M., arrested today on federal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms& ammunition. #FBI arrested Hopkins in Sunland Park w/help of @sunland_park_nm PD.
— FBI Albuquerque (@FBIAlbuquerque) April 21, 2019
Not smart:
A man who reportedly leads a right-wing militia group that was seen on a viral video this week detaining migrants in New Mexico while heavily armed has been arrested for illegal possession of a firearm following a previous felony conviction.
The FBI’s field office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, released a statement Saturday confirming the arrest of Larry Mitchell Hopkins, 69, of Flora Vista, N.M. on a charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Hopkins’ court date is scheduled for Monday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the U.S. District Court in Las Cruces, N.M., according to the FBI’s statement.
“Larry Mitchell Hopkins, 69, of Flora Vista, N.M., was arrested today on a federal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The FBI arrested Hopkins in Sunland Park, N.M., with the assistance of the Sunland Park Police Department,” read the FBI’s statement.
No additional information on Hopkins’s involvement with the militia group was released Saturday by the FBI, but New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas (D) asserted in a statement that Hopkins was one of dozens of militia group members seen on video this week confronting hundreds of minors close to the U.S.-Mexico border.
A news video:
And they’re not happy about it:
This is what the New Mexico militia, United Constitutional Patriots, which has detained immigrants at the border at gunpoint, is saying about their leader’s arrest.
From the group’s “head of intelligence”: pic.twitter.com/vz9PejCXng— Salvador Hernandez (@SalHernandez) April 20, 2019
They’ve also been deplatformed:
Looks like the United Constitutional Patriots have set up another @PayPalfundraising campaign even after the crowdfunding site said it shut down the right-wing militia’s account for violating the crowdfunding sites’ policy on the promotion of hate or violence. pic.twitter.com/bn5TknS4Hf
— Adolfo Flores (@aflores) April 20, 2019
And ICE says they don’t support such efforts:
In a statement, US Customs and Border Protection said the agency does not endorse private groups or organizations taking enforcement matters into their own hands.
“Interference by civilians in law enforcement matters could have public safety and legal consequences for all parties involved,” a CBP official said. “Border Security operations are complex and require highly trained professionals with adequate resources to protect the country.”
If you’re gonna go impersonate a law enforcement officer and kidnap illegals, it’s probably best to make sure you’re not a felon in possession of a fun illegally. Just a protip for better living.
Via TRS
