Militia leader who detained asylum-seekers at gunpoint has reportedly been attacked in jail

by Walter Einenkel

Daily Kos Staff

Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2019 Wednesday, Apr. 24, 2019 at 10:10:07am PDT

TOPSHOT - Propery owner Jeff Allen, 56, (rear left) stands near a group of about 30 Brazilian migrants, who had just crossed the border at his property in Sunland Park, New Mexico on the US-Mexico border on March 20, 2019, as they wait for US Border Patrol to pick them up. - The militia members say they will patrol the US-Mexico border near Mt. Christo Rey, 'Until the wall is built.' (Photo by Paul Ratje / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL RATJE/AFP/Getty Images) — Some militia guys hold people hostage for "freedom"

A 69-year-old militia leader was reportedly hospitalized after being attacked in the Dona Ana County Detention Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Larry Hopkins had been imprisoned in the facility since Monday after having been arrested and charged with illegal firearms possession by a felon. His attorney told the press that his client was attacked in the facility because of his “high profile.”

Hopkins is reportedly the leader of the United Constitutional Patriots, a militia group that spent two months hunting and detaining asylum-seekers along the New Mexico border. The group left after being threatened with law enforcement action over its potential violations of the rights of the immigrants it was detaining. NPR reports:

A criminal complaint filed by the FBI states that Hopkins, also known as Johnny Horton Jr., was in possession of nine firearms and ammunition in his northern New Mexico home in Nov. 2017. He had three prior felony convictions dating back to 1996, including impersonating a peace officer in the state of Oregon in 2006, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney's office.

Let’s hope he’s healthy enough to stand trial.