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

Authored by nytimes.com and submitted by nosotros_road_sodium
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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.”

searchingformytruth on April 21st, 2019 at 02:29 UTC »

"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."

"He claimed to be in touch with President Trump after a chance meeting at a Las Vegas casino"

What a fucking lunatic. Glad he's locked up!

Edit: wow, this post got popular.

HuskyPupper on April 21st, 2019 at 01:16 UTC »

Not for detaining migrants, though. For impersonating a peace officer and illegally possessing firearms.

spikeelsucko on April 21st, 2019 at 00:35 UTC »

That was fast.

It doesn't help when you're going around claiming a government agency wants you around at the same time that same agency is saying it doesn't.