According to a judge, a militia leader should remain in prison while he is awaiting trial



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US Judge Karen B. Mozen ruled that Hopkins remains detained because "clear and convincing evidence" indicated that "no condition or combination of release conditions would reasonably guarantee the safety of any other person and community ". The judge listed a number of additional factors in support of his decision, including the use of pseudonyms by Hopkins, his criminal history, his non-appearance in court, his breach of probation conditions and his association with the United Constitutional Patriots militia.
Hopkins is accused of being a criminal in possession of firearms and ammunition. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Monday, and asked to be released, according to court records. The judge rejected this request.

Monday's hearing was delayed after the authorities evacuated the courthouse for some time due to what the US Marshals Service later described as a security issue.

"The FBI and the US Marshals Service continue to investigate the case," said Joy Josephson, spokesman for the marshals service.

A militia official reportedly claimed that his group was training to assassinate Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, according to court documents.
Hopkins, 69, has been in detention since his arrest on April 20. If he is found guilty, he could be sentenced to 10 years in prison.
His arrest took place more than 17 months after FBI agents raided his home, but only days after the militia group he was leading, she drew the public's attention, the conviction of the American Civil Liberties Union and critics of the New Mexico state authorities for arresting migrants at the border.

During a search conducted in November 2017, according to the affidavit of an FBI special agent filed in court, officers reportedly found nine firearms and ammunition. Hopkins having already been convicted of several crimes, including the usurpation of an officer in Oregon in 2006, he was prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition , according to the complaint.

Last week, the authorities announced that he had been attacked in New Mexico prison, where he was detained after his arrest.

In a letter addressed to prison officials after the alleged attack, Hopkins' lawyer said his client had been "jumped and beaten by other inmates".

"The case of Mr. Hopkins is certainly highly publicized and he has gained a controversial reputation because of his activities at the border," wrote attorney Kelly O. Connell. "Moreover, there is undoubtedly a lot of resentment and even fury against him in some inmates because of the way he was portrayed in the media and his overall coverage."

S addressing reporters after the court hearing last week, O Connell said the weapons and ammunition found by FBI agents and found at Hopkins did not belong to him.

CNN's Chris Boyette and CNN's Darran Simon contributed to this report.

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