Bias-Motivated Threats in North Carolina
A disturbing incident shook the community in Charlotte, North Carolina, when a man allegedly threatened eight individuals with a firearm inside a local restaurant. Maurice Hopkins, 31, has been charged with federal civil rights and firearms violations.
According to the indictment, on June 8, 2024, Hopkins threatened the eight individuals with a firearm inside Zambies Pizza, a restaurant in Charlotte. The indictment charges Hopkins with threatening the eight individuals with force because of their race, color, religion and national origin and because they were enjoying the goods, services and facilities of the restaurant.
The indictment also charges Hopkins with threatening the eight individuals with force on account of their race, color, religion and national origin to intimidate the individuals from exercising their federally protected housing rights. Additionally, Hopkins is charged with carrying, using and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
If convicted, Hopkins faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each of the civil rights charges and a mandatory minimum prison sentence on the firearms charge. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller for the Western District of North Carolina and Trial Attorneys Daniel Grunert and Chloe Neely of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Civil Rights
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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