Maurice Hopkins, a 32-year-old resident of Mt. Holly, North Carolina, pleaded guilty in federal court to a civil rights violation after threatening eight individuals with force based on their race, color, religion, and national origin. The plea was entered before United States Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriguez.
According to court documents and statements made during the hearing, the incident occurred on June 8, 2024, at a pizza restaurant in Charlotte. Hopkins confronted a group of friends who were eating at the establishment. He questioned whether they were American and proceeded to harass them by calling them terrorists, demanding they speak English, telling them to go back to their country, and making other comments related to their backgrounds. Court records indicate that Hopkins threatened physical violence and stated he would retrieve a firearm and return to kill them.
Hopkins left the restaurant but returned minutes later carrying a loaded AR-15 style rifle. The victims fled through a rear exit as he entered with the weapon.
In court, Hopkins admitted that his threats were motivated by the victims’ race, color, religion, and national origin while they were using the services of the restaurant.
Hopkins pleaded guilty to one count of interference with federally protected activities. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge after reviewing sentencing guidelines and statutory factors. Hopkins remains in federal custody pending sentencing.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office conducted the investigation into this case.
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 the case.
“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 join U.S. Attorney Ferguson in making the announcement.”
