LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - The Latest on weapons charges filed against a member of an armed civilian group that detained migrants on the US-Mexico border (all times local):
1:10 p.m.
A member of an armed civilian group that has detained migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border was charged Monday with being a felon in possession of firearms.
The federal charges stem from a search of his New Mexico home in 2017.
Larry Hopkins made his initial court appearance Monday in Las Cruces. The 69-year-old man was arrested over the weekend near Sunland Park, where he and others members of his group have been patrolling the border.
The group gained attention last week for stopping hundreds of migrants, drawing criticism from immigrant advocates and Democratic leaders in New Mexico.
A criminal complaint states Hopkins, who has three prior felony convictions, had nine firearms and ammunition in his northern New Mexico home.
Federal officials declined to say why they waited over a year to file the charges.
Hopkins’ lawyer said he plans to enter a plea of not guilty at a bond hearing in Albuquerque next week.
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11:00 a.m.
A member of an armed civilian group that has detained migrants near the U.S.-Mexico border is set to make his first court appearance following his weekend arrest on firearms charges.
Larry Hopkins was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of firearms. He reportedly faced similar charges 13 years ago in Oregon.
The 69-year-old is scheduled for an appearance Monday in U.S. District Court in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It wasn’t immediately known if he had an attorney who could comment on the allegations.
Armed civilian groups have been a fixture on the border for years, especially when large numbers of migrants come through. The latest influx includes many families and children.
An FBI spokesman said additional information about Hopkins would be released after his court appearance.
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