The FBI arrested a member of a militia group in New Mexico that's been stopping migrants who cross the U.S.-Mexico border.
Earlier this week in the video posted on social media show that the migrant was crossing the border illegally and the process of the transfer was being handled by a militia group.
Video shows various private militia groups – often espousing anti-immigrant views – have patrolled the border for years, but it's rare to see footage of an armed group detaining migrants on the US side of the border.
In the footage, people wearing full military fatigues can be seen with handguns strapped to their sides, wearing gloves and black face masks. Armed men order the migrants to stop, force them to sit on the ground and they appear to call Border Patrol to pick the migrants up.
Videos purported to show members of the group detaining migrants, including families with children, who have just crossed the border.
Larry Mitchell Hopkins, 69, is a member of an armed group that had reportedly detained migrants near Sunland Park, New Mexico, state Attorney General Hector Balderas said in a statement. Hopkins — also known as Johnny Horton Jr. – was arrested on felony charges of being in possession of firearms and ammunition, according to a statement from the FBI's Albuquerque field office.
"This is a dangerous felon who should not have weapons around children and families," Balderas said. "Today's arrest by the FBI indicates clearly that the rule of law should be in the hands of trained law enforcement officials, not armed vigilantes."
Hopkins is expected to make a first appearance in court on Monday, the FBI said.
As details of this week's latest video emerged, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said on Twitter that "menacing or threatening migrant families and asylum seekers are absolutely unacceptable and must cease".
US Customs and Border Protection have previously said they are opposed to civilians patrolling the border in search of illegal crossers
Prior to the action at least two videos posted on the group's Facebook page, a man in fatigues verbally identifies himself as "Border Patrol" when stopping a group of migrants.
