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PSPS

(13,599 posts)
Sat Apr 20, 2019, 09:02 PM Apr 2019

F.B.I. Arrests Leader of Right-Wing Militia That Detained Migrants in New Mexico

Source: NYT

ALBUQUERQUE — The F.B.I. on Saturday arrested the leader of a right-wing militia that was detaining migrant families at gunpoint near the border in southern New Mexico, as the group faced a torrent of criticism for its tactics.

Hector Balderas, New Mexico’s attorney general, said federal agents had arrested the leader, Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who had been operating under the alias Johnny Horton Jr. Mr. Balderas said in a statement that Mr. Hopkins was arrested on charges of firearms possession by a felon. “This is a dangerous felon who should not have weapons around children and families,” Mr. Balderas said. “Today’s arrest by the F.B.I. indicates clearly that the rule of law should be in the hands of trained law enforcement officials, not armed vigilantes.”

The firearms charge against Mr. Hopkins is relatively minor. But it is likely the start of a deeper investigation into his activities and those of the militia, and opens the way for the authorities to bring more serious charges like kidnapping and impersonating a police officer or an employee of the United States.

-snip-

Speaking to someone using a voice distorter while wearing a gas mask, Mr. Hopkins appeared on a right-wing extremist YouTube channel in November. He claimed to be in touch with President Trump after a chance meeting at a Las Vegas casino.


Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/20/us/militia-arrest-border-new-mexico.html

28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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F.B.I. Arrests Leader of Right-Wing Militia That Detained Migrants in New Mexico (Original Post) PSPS Apr 2019 OP
Welcome to Trump's Amerika. Haggis for Breakfast Apr 2019 #1
agree, hence why this is so dangerous - the Idiot has created a blanket excuse for bigotry onetexan Apr 2019 #2
No it isn't the end! atreides1 Apr 2019 #3
He's too busy golfing with that fat fuck junkie, Rush Limbaugh. Haggis for Breakfast Apr 2019 #7
They will not stop at detaining immigrants DBoon Apr 2019 #16
+1 ck4829 Jun 2019 #22
WTF. Next they'll becoming for any one who does have a white complexion. GAH. iluvtennis Apr 2019 #4
expect a trump pardon n/t garybeck Apr 2019 #5
Lock him up! James48 Apr 2019 #6
he'll get pardoned garybeck Apr 2019 #18
... 2naSalit Apr 2019 #8
Apt ck4829 Jun 2019 #23
His pic ....... riversedge Apr 2019 #9
Benicio del Toro sure has let himself go. Dave Starsky Apr 2019 #19
Owning a weapon under a disability. JohnnyRingo Apr 2019 #10
This message was self-deleted by its author ancianita Apr 2019 #11
Don't fuck with the blue state of New Mexico. Glad they got his ass. Lizard lost that one. ancianita Apr 2019 #12
There should be kidnapping charges for this mutant...nt GReedDiamond Apr 2019 #13
Yes ck4829 Jun 2019 #26
Got your cameo outfit..slack jawed large bellied winger... Maxheader Apr 2019 #14
I didn't even notice the guy in the camo outfit. Dave Starsky Apr 2019 #15
The sort of person who loves to drive his OHV in protected wilderness DBoon Apr 2019 #17
Cleverly disguised as an ordinary beer gut. KY_EnviroGuy Jun 2019 #27
That's right ck4829 Jun 2019 #24
Member of armed militia who detained migrants faced similar charges in 2006 Eugene Apr 2019 #20
Good Sherman A1 Apr 2019 #21
Kick ck4829 Jun 2019 #25
I would have though tRump's front-line troops would have been.... KY_EnviroGuy Jun 2019 #28

Haggis for Breakfast

(6,831 posts)
1. Welcome to Trump's Amerika.
Sat Apr 20, 2019, 09:41 PM
Apr 2019

He has emboldened these people to the max. This is not the end of this.

We will see more and it will get out of hand. These people will not stop. They think they have the approval of the president. They are armed, believe they have the right (THEY DON'T.) and have itchy trigger fingers.

This is not going to end well. People are going to get shot.

And trump will say NOTHING to discourage these people or stop them. He WANTS to see this.

onetexan

(13,041 posts)
2. agree, hence why this is so dangerous - the Idiot has created a blanket excuse for bigotry
Sat Apr 20, 2019, 10:25 PM
Apr 2019

he is clearly amoral and severely unfit to be holding any kind of office. He should be in jail for his crimes.

atreides1

(16,079 posts)
3. No it isn't the end!
Sat Apr 20, 2019, 10:27 PM
Apr 2019

They do have the approval of the president...with every speech he gives about invaders from south of the border, he gives them his approval along with a "wink, wink...nudge, nudge...know what I mean", and the next time the witnesses will be found dead...and Trump won't say anything...like he hasn't said anything about this incident!!!

Haggis for Breakfast

(6,831 posts)
7. He's too busy golfing with that fat fuck junkie, Rush Limbaugh.
Sat Apr 20, 2019, 11:03 PM
Apr 2019

At OUR expense.

I have family living in spitting distance from Marmalago. Everyone hates him going down there on the weekend. Streets are blocked. Detours are placed that make driving around there a pain in the pelvis. Businesses have to close. Small shop owners lose money. The traffic, the congestion, the inconvenience of it all does NOT make people happy.

DBoon

(22,366 posts)
16. They will not stop at detaining immigrants
Sun Apr 21, 2019, 11:27 AM
Apr 2019

They have been taught to hate many groups. Immigrants are just the low hanging fruit to them.

JohnnyRingo

(18,633 posts)
10. Owning a weapon under a disability.
Sun Apr 21, 2019, 12:38 AM
Apr 2019

That's gotta sting. One law the NRA hasn't been able to justify repeal is that of a felon carrying a gun.

It's a pretty harsh penalty too, because the offense shows blatant disregard of society, like getting caught driving under a suspension. they throw the book at such people.

Maybe they saved his old number for him.

Response to JohnnyRingo (Reply #10)

ancianita

(36,057 posts)
12. Don't fuck with the blue state of New Mexico. Glad they got his ass. Lizard lost that one.
Sun Apr 21, 2019, 12:53 AM
Apr 2019

Lots of good, progressive folks there. I love that state.

Maxheader

(4,373 posts)
14. Got your cameo outfit..slack jawed large bellied winger...
Sun Apr 21, 2019, 08:37 AM
Apr 2019

extremist...against what? Poor, usually exhausted mexican wanting a better life..

?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale

Dave Starsky

(5,914 posts)
15. I didn't even notice the guy in the camo outfit.
Sun Apr 21, 2019, 08:56 AM
Apr 2019

He was so well hidden.

I bet it works just as flawlessly in the fucking Southwestern desert, too.

DBoon

(22,366 posts)
17. The sort of person who loves to drive his OHV in protected wilderness
Sun Apr 21, 2019, 11:29 AM
Apr 2019

and saves the bodies on endangered species he kills as trophies

Eugene

(61,899 posts)
20. Member of armed militia who detained migrants faced similar charges in 2006
Sun Apr 21, 2019, 05:00 PM
Apr 2019

Source: Associated Press

Member of armed militia who detained migrants faced similar charges in 2006

Associated Press in Las Cruces, New Mexico
Sun 21 Apr 2019 20.24 BST Last modified on Sun 21 Apr 2019 21.16 BST

A member of an armed civilian group that has detained migrants near the US-Mexico border who was arrested on Saturday reportedly faced similar charges in Oregon 13 years ago.

In Sunland Park, Texas on Saturday, FBI agents and local police arrested Larry Mitchell Hopkins, 69, on suspicion of being a felon in possession of firearms.

In Klamath county, Oregon in 2006, Hopkins was accused of impersonating a police officer and claimed to be a fugitive bounty hunter, the Santa Few New Mexican reported. In his guilty plea, Hopkins acknowledged he had given “the impression to others that I was a peace officer” while unlawfully carrying a firearm as a convicted felon.

Hopkins’ latest arrest came after federal authorities warned private groups to avoid policing the border.

-snip-

In the 2006 incident in Oregon, a sheriff’s office report said Hopkins was found at a gas station in Keno showing firearms to youth and telling them he was a police officer. Hopkins displayed a badge that said “special agent” and had numerous medals pinned to his shirt, according to the report obtained by the Santa Fe New Mexican.

-snip-


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/21/member-armed-militia-detained-migrants-similar-charges-2006

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,491 posts)
28. I would have though tRump's front-line troops would have been....
Mon Jun 10, 2019, 05:25 AM
Jun 2019

either...
* Evangelicals shaking a Bible at the refugees to save them, or
* human traffickers hunting for new people to sell, or
* Devin Nunes' family farm managers looking for fresh help.

Anyone else sense the irony of a convicted felon performing citizen's arrests on refugees?

KY............

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