LAS CRUCES — A Republican U.S. Senate candidate has disavowed an armed civilian group that has been detaining asylum-seeking families near the U.S.-Mexico border following the arrest of the group’s leader.
Gavin Clarkson tweeted Saturday that he condemns the group’s “lawless activities,” noting that the rule of law is the role of law enforcement, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported.
Larry Hopkins, 69, appeared in federal court Monday after the FBI arrested him over the weekend on firearms charges. His attorney said his client will plead not guilty.
Hopkins’ group, United Constitutional Patriots, has faced criticism for its videos showing armed members detaining groups of immigrants crossing the border.
Clarkson appeared in a 30-minute Facebook video last month with members of the group. The video shows him speaking on topics including immigration, asylum laws, law enforcement and a border wall. He describes the group as “honest, sincere patriots” performing a necessary service. He asked for viewers to donate or volunteer with the group, saying “Border Patrol is thanking these guys every single day for the help.”
Clarkson said Monday that he previously believed the group was conducting passive surveillance and not detaining people.
“I have no problem with private citizens on private land alerting authorities if they see human or drug smuggling activity,” Clarkson said. “Armed apprehensions of illegal migrants on federal property are another matter entirely.”
Clarkson said Hopkins lied to him and used an alias.
“He also told me that they had been issued radios by and were fully cooperating with Border Patrol — that they were only there to be ‘eyes and ears,’ and that they were never going to apprehend or detain anyone,” Clarkson said.
United Constitutional Patriots spokesman Jim Benvie did not respond to a request for comment from the newspaper.
