Maurice Hopkins, a 32-year-old resident of Mt. Holly, North Carolina, pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation in federal court today. The plea was entered before United States Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriguez in Charlotte.
According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, the incident occurred on June 8, 2024, at a pizza restaurant in Charlotte. Hopkins threatened eight individuals with a firearm after confronting them inside the restaurant. He questioned whether they were American and then verbally harassed them based on their race, color, religion, and national origin. Hopkins referred to the victims as terrorists, demanded they speak English, told them to go back to their country, and made other similar remarks.
Court records indicate that Hopkins escalated his threats by stating he would punch the victims and that he would retrieve a firearm and return to kill them. After leaving the restaurant briefly, he returned carrying a loaded AR-15 style rifle. The victims fled through a rear exit upon his return.
Hopkins admitted in court that he threatened these individuals with force because of their race, color, religion, and national origin while they were patrons of the restaurant.
Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina; Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division; and Special Agent in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., of the FBI Charlotte Field Office announced the plea.
"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 case was investigated by the FBI Charlotte Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick J. Miller for the Western District of North Carolina and Trial Attorney Chloe Neely from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting.
