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 people at a Charlotte pizza restaurant because of 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. Hopkins confronted a group of friends inside the restaurant, questioned whether they were American, and proceeded to harass them with derogatory remarks about their background. He called them terrorists, demanded they speak English, told them to return to their country, and made other comments based on their race and origin.
Court records indicate that Hopkins escalated his threats by saying he would punch the victims and then threatened to retrieve a firearm and kill them. After leaving the restaurant briefly, Hopkins returned carrying a loaded AR-15 style rifle. The victims escaped through a rear exit as he re-entered.
Hopkins admitted in court that he targeted the individuals while they were enjoying services at the restaurant because of their protected characteristics.
He pleaded guilty to one count of interference with federally protected activities. This offense carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge at a later date; no sentencing date has been set yet. Hopkins remains in federal custody pending further proceedings.
The FBI Charlotte Field Office led 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.
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., FBI Charlotte Field Office announced these developments.
