CHARLOTTE — A Mt. Holly man pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights violation in a Charlotte court Tuesday after he admitted to threatening eight individuals with a firearm due to their race, color, religion, and national origin.
The incident occurred in June 2024, inside a Zämbies Pizza in NoDa, where 32-year-old Maurice Hopkins confronted a group of friends, questioning their nationality and making derogatory remarks.
According to a release from the United State’s Attorney’s Office, he escalated the situation by leaving the restaurant and returning with a loaded AR-15 style rifle, causing the victims to flee.
Court documents reveal that Hopkins threatened to punch the victims and retrieve a firearm to kill them.
Hopkins pleaded guilty to one count of interference with federally protected activities, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
He remains in federal custody as a sentencing date has not yet been set.
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