FBI arrests leader of private militia accused of detaining migrants on US border

[Elderberry]

Vox By Khushbu Shah 4/21/2019

Larry Mitchell Hopkins was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The FBI arrested the leader of a private militia group that detains migrants on the US-Mexico border Saturday for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The group operates in New Mexico.

Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who also goes by Johnny Horton Jr. according to the FBI, is a member of the United Constitutional Patriots in New Mexico. The group posted images and video of its operations on its Facebook page; some of the videos show immigrants being detained by armed members.

A recent video the group posted caught the eye of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which called on New Mexico’s governor and attorney general to both condemn the militia and end is operations.

More: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/4/21/18509998/fbi-arrests-leader-private-militia-accused-of-detaining-migrants-on-us-border

[Sanguine]

So, is he a felon, and if so, what kind?

[Elderberry]

So, is he a felon, and if so, what kind?

In 2006, he was arrested in Klamath County, Oregon, on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hopkins ended up pleading no contest to the impersonation charge and guilty to a gun possession charge. Both were felonies. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years of probation.

[Sanguine]

In 2006, he was arrested in Klamath County, Oregon, on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hopkins ended up pleading no contest to the impersonation charge and guilty to a gun possession charge. Both were felonies. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years of probation.

Thanks.  Sounds like a legitimate prosecution then.

[jmyrlefuller]

In 2006, he was arrested in Klamath County, Oregon, on suspicion of impersonating a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Hopkins ended up pleading no contest to the impersonation charge and guilty to a gun possession charge. Both were felonies. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years of probation.

So the 2006 charge was also for already being a felon... what was the original conviction?

[Elderberry]

So the 2006 charge was also for already being a felon... what was the original conviction?

I tried, but I couldn't find anything earlier than 2006 on him.

[jmyrlefuller]

I tried, but I couldn't find anything earlier than 2006 on him.

I do remember the statement from the militia saying something about the original conviction dating to the 1960s.

[verga]

BKMK