Deming Couple Convicted of Kidnapping and Firearms Violations

ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury in Las Cruces, N.M., delivered a guilty verdict today against Jessie Hopper, Sr., 54, and Polly Hopper, 61, of Deming, N.M., finding them guilty on multiple counts including kidnapping and firearms violations. The Hoppers were convicted alongside their co-defendant, Jessie A. Hopper, Jr., 30.

Hopper, Sr., and Polly Hopper had been charged with conspiracy and kidnapping in a six-count indictment filed in May 2014. They were accused of forcibly transporting a victim across state lines, followed by several instances of sexual assault at their Deming residence.

The trio was initially arrested in June 2014 on federal charges. Hopper, Jr., pleaded guilty to five charges in November 2014, while the senior Hoppers faced trial which concluded this afternoon with the jury’s guilty verdict.

According to evidence presented during the trial, the Hoppers and their co-defendant kidnapped a woman in Hot Springs, Ark., on May 8, 2014. During the incident, Hopper, Jr., brandished a firearm to coerce compliance from the victim, who was forced to contact family members under duress.

All three defendants remain detained pending sentencing hearings. They face life imprisonment for the kidnapping charges and additional sentences for firearms violations. Their initial arrest followed state charges, which were later transferred to federal jurisdiction.

This case was jointly investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies including the FBI, ATF, New Mexico State Police, Luna County Sheriff’s Office, and others. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy M. Castellano and Maria Y. Armijo are prosecuting the case.