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Armando Gonzalez was an armed man who joined the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) border militia patrol. The United Constitutional Patriots are a right-wing unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista in northern New Mexico. Gonzalez made comments about migrants and asylum seekers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, suggesting that they should be lined up and shot, and that we have to go back to Hitler days and put them all in a gas chamber. These comments were reported to the police by another UCP member, Steven Viper Brant. Gonzalez is not considered a fellow militia member by some in the group, and his current whereabouts are unknown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Armando Gonzalez |
| Affiliation | United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) |
| Remarks | Suggested mass killing of migrants and asylum seekers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, referencing Hitler's gas chambers |
| Status | Not considered a militia member by some in the group; police were unable to find current contact information |
| Group Information | Right-wing unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista, New Mexico; detains alleged illegal immigrants; faced scrutiny for social media videos of armed members "arresting" migrants and falsely identifying as federal agents |
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What You'll Learn
Who is Armando Gonzalez?
Armando Gonzalez was a member of the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP), a right-wing unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista in northern New Mexico. The group was brought to national attention in the United States in April 2019. The UCP was led by Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who used the pseudonym Johnny Horton, Jr. and had a spokesman, Jim Benvie.
Gonzalez made headlines when he suggested that migrants and asylum seekers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border should be lined up and shot, referencing the "Hitler days" and gas chambers. This comment was reported to the police by fellow UCP member Steven "Viper" Brant. Gonzalez was not considered a member of the militia by some, with Brant stating that "he just showed up today".
The United Constitutional Patriots gained notoriety for detaining alleged illegal immigrants and posting videos on social media showing armed militia members "arresting" migrants and falsely identifying themselves as federal agents. The group intended to stay in the area until the Mexico-United States border wall was built or stronger immigration laws were passed. The governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, asserted that the vigilantes had no legal right to detain people entering the US.
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United Constitutional Patriots (UCP)
The United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) is a right-wing unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista in northern New Mexico. Operating primarily in the southern part of the state, the group detains alleged illegal immigrants. The UCP came to national attention in the United States in April 2019. The governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, stated that the vigilantes have no legal right to detain people entering the US.
The head of the UCP is Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who uses the pseudonym Johnny Horton, Jr. The group's former spokesman, Jim Benvie, split from the UCP in May 2019 and formed his own militia group, the Guardian Patriots; the UCP lost about half of its members as a result. Benvie was later arrested in Oklahoma and indicted in New Mexico for impersonating a border patrol official.
The UCP has faced intense public scrutiny after posting videos on social media that showed militia members ""arresting" migrants and asylum seekers who had crossed the border. In the videos, militia members were armed and some falsely identified themselves as federal agents to the migrants.
In one incident, an armed man who joined a border militia patrol, Armando Gonzalez, made comments suggesting mass killing of migrants and asylum seekers. Gonzalez said, "Why are we just apprehending them and not lining them up and shooting them? We have to go back to Hitler days and put them all in a gas chamber." UCP member Steven "Viper" Brant, who was present during the incident, reported Gonzalez's comments to the police.
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Gonzalez's comments to police
Armando Gonzalez was an armed man who joined the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) — a right-wing, unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista in northern New Mexico. Gonzalez made comments to fellow UCP member Steven "Viper" Brant, who later reported the comments to the police. Gonzalez said:
> "Why are we just apprehending them and not lining them up and shooting them? We have to go back to Hitler days and put them all in a gas chamber."
Brant did not consider Gonzalez a fellow militia member, telling the Times, "He just showed up today". Gonzalez's comments were made during a patrol where the militia group detained 200 migrants at gunpoint. The group has faced intense public scrutiny after posting videos on social media that showed militia members "arresting" migrants and asylum seekers. The videos also showed some members falsely identifying themselves as federal agents.
The governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, released a statement indicating that the vigilantes have no legal right to detain people entering the US. The head of the UCP, Larry Mitchell Hopkins, was arrested and charged with possessing a gun as a felon.
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UCP's actions and public scrutiny
The United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) is a right-wing, unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista, northern New Mexico. The group gained national attention in the United States in April 2019, due to its activities detaining alleged illegal immigrants crossing the US-Mexico border.
The UCP's actions have been widely scrutinized by the public and officials. Videos posted on social media by the group showed militia members "arresting" migrants and asylum seekers who had crossed the border. These militia members were armed and some falsely identified themselves as federal agents. This prompted public outcry and official condemnation, with the governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, stating that the vigilantes have no legal right to detain people entering the US.
The group's activities have also led to legal consequences for its members. The leader of the UCP, Larry Mitchell Hopkins, was arrested and charged with possessing a gun as a felon. Additionally, Jim Benvie, the group's spokesman, was arrested and indicted in New Mexico for impersonating a border patrol official. He later left the UCP and formed his own militia group, the Guardian Patriots, causing the UCP to lose about half of its members.
The UCP's actions have also been associated with violent rhetoric and potential threats. An armed man patrolling with the group, Armando Gonzalez, made comments suggesting mass killing of migrants and a return to "Hitler days". Gonzalez's comments were reported to the police by another UCP member, Steven "Viper" Brant, who was present at the time.
The UCP has stated that they are present in New Mexico to "support the Border Patrol and show the public the reality of the border". They intend to remain in the area until the Mexico-United States border wall is built or until Congress passes stronger immigration laws. However, their activities have been widely seen as vigilantism and a violation of the rights of migrants and asylum seekers.
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The group's leader and spokesman
The United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) is a right-wing unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista in northern New Mexico. The group made headlines in 2019 for detaining migrants and asylum seekers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Videos posted on social media showed armed militia members falsely identifying themselves as federal agents.
The group's leader, Larry Mitchell Hopkins, who uses the pseudonym Johnny Horton, Jr., was arrested and charged with possessing a gun as a felon. Hopkins pleaded not guilty.
The group's spokesman, Jim Benvie (born James Christopher Benvie), split from the UCP in May 2019 and formed his own militia group, the Guardian Patriots. Benvie was later arrested and indicted for impersonating a border patrol official.
While Armando Gonzalez was mentioned in reports regarding the UCP, he does not appear to be a leader or spokesman for the group. Gonzalez was reported to have joined a border militia patrol and made comments suggesting mass killing of migrants and asylum seekers. Two others at the militia's camp, including UCP member Steven "Viper" Brant, did not consider Gonzalez a fellow militia member.
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Frequently asked questions
Armando Gonzalez was a member of the United Constitutional Patriots (UCP), a right-wing unofficial militia group based in Flora Vista in northern New Mexico.
Armando Gonzalez made comments about mass killing migrants and asylum seekers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, suggesting that they should be lined up and shot, and that "we have to go back to Hitler days and put them all in a gas chamber".
Yes, another UCP member, Steven "Viper" Brant, reported Gonzalez's comments to the police.
The United Constitutional Patriots (UCP) is a right-wing unofficial militia group that gained national attention in the United States in April 2019 for detaining alleged illegal immigrants in New Mexico. The group has been criticised for their tactics, which include falsely identifying themselves as federal agents and "arresting" migrants and asylum seekers.
