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 Mexicos 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. Todays 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
Haggis for Breakfast
(6,831 posts)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)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)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)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)They have been taught to hate many groups. Immigrants are just the low hanging fruit to them.
ck4829
(35,077 posts)iluvtennis
(19,858 posts)garybeck
(9,942 posts)James48
(4,436 posts)garybeck
(9,942 posts)?w=300&h=210
riversedge
(70,223 posts)Dave Starsky
(5,914 posts)Meth, children. Not even once.
JohnnyRingo
(18,633 posts)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 This message was self-deleted by its author.
ancianita
(36,057 posts)Lots of good, progressive folks there. I love that state.
GReedDiamond
(5,313 posts)Maxheader
(4,373 posts)extremist...against what? Poor, usually exhausted mexican wanting a better life..
?quality=75&auto=webp&disable=upscale
Dave Starsky
(5,914 posts)He was so well hidden.
I bet it works just as flawlessly in the fucking Southwestern desert, too.
DBoon
(22,366 posts)and saves the bodies on endangered species he kills as trophies
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,491 posts)...............
ck4829
(35,077 posts)Eugene
(61,899 posts)Source: Associated Press
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 sheriffs 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
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)I hope he gets all the due process he denied those he held and a long sentence is imposed.
KY_EnviroGuy
(14,491 posts)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............