Lady Justice
August 16, 2025 — Maurice Hopkins, 32, from Mt. Holly, North Carolina, entered a guilty plea in federal court today for violating civil rights after he threatened eight individuals with a loaded AR-15-style rifle in a Charlotte pizza restaurant last year.
During his appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriguez in the Western District of North Carolina, Hopkins acknowledged that he threatened the group due to their race, color, religion, and national origin.
According to court documents, the incident occurred on June 8, 2024, when Hopkins approached the victims—friends dining together—and began harassing them, asking if they were American, calling them “terrorists,” demanding they speak English, and telling them to “go back to their country.” He then threatened violence, including saying he would punch them and return with a firearm to kill them.
Shortly after, Hopkins returned to the restaurant with a fully loaded AR-15-style rifle. The victims escaped through a back exit, evading injury.
Hopkins admitted guilt to interference with federally protected activities, a federal civil rights offense that could result in a maximum of 10 years in prison. He is currently in federal custody awaiting sentencing, which has yet to be set.
