Maurice Hopkins, Civil Rights Violation, North Carolina 2024

Maurice Hopkins, a 32-year-old man from Mt. Holly, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation for threatening eight individuals with force because of their race, color, religion, and national origin.

On June 8, 2024, Hopkins threatened eight individuals with a firearm inside a pizza restaurant in Charlotte. When he encountered the victims, who were a group of friends getting pizza at the time, he asked if they were American. Hopkins then proceeded to harass the victims, calling them terrorists, demanding they speak English, telling them to go back to their country, and making other statements because of the victims’ race, color, religion, and national origin.

Court records show that Hopkins made multiple threats, including threatening to punch the victims in the face and go retrieve a firearm and return to kill them. Hopkins then left the restaurant and returned minutes later, walking through the doorway with a loaded AR-15 style rifle. The victims immediately fled through the door in the rear of the restaurant.

As Hopkins admitted in court today, he threatened 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.

Hopkins pleaded guilty to one count of interference with federally protected activities, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Hopkins remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set.

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 Attorney Chloe Neely of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.

Hopkins, a resident of Mt. Holly, will face the consequences of his actions. The maximum penalty for the crime he pleaded guilty to is 10 years in prison. A judge will determine the final sentence after considering various factors.

Hopkins is currently in federal custody awaiting sentencing. The exact date of sentencing has not been set.

Mandatory Facts: Defendant/Respondent: Maurice Hopkins, Exact Criminal Charge: Interference with Federally Protected Activities, City and State: Charlotte, North Carolina, Exact Date: June 8, 2024, Sentence or Outcome: Up to 10 years in prison, Current Status: In federal custody awaiting sentencing.

Defendant Information: Maurice Hopkins, a 32-year-old man from Mt. Holly, North Carolina.

Case Information: One count of interference with federally protected activities, investigated by the FBI Charlotte Field Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller and Trial Attorney Chloe Neely.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/north-carolina-man-pleads-guilty-civil-rights-violation