38-year-old Michael Hopkins, who serves as the communications director for Democrat Rep. Joe Morelle (NY), was arrested on Monday for bringing ammunition into the Cannon House Office Building.
U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) announced that Hopkins was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of ammunition, including one charge for possession of a high-capacity magazine.
At approximately 8:45 a.m., a House staffer entered the Cannon House Office Building and put his bag through screening,” USCP said in a statement.
USCP officers noticed on the x-ray screen that there appeared to be ammunition in his bag.
“After a hand search of the bag, officers found four ammunition magazines and eleven rounds of ammunition,” the statement said. “The staffer told the officers that he forgot the ammunition was in the bag.”
NEW details on the arrest of a staffer for Rep. Joe Morelle:
Michael Hopkins, Morelle's comms director, was arrested after Capitol Police found ammunition in his bag when going through the metal detectors, USCP spox says.
He faces charges for unlawful possession of ammunition. pic.twitter.com/f0QAvIX8ck
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) December 2, 2024
Morelle’s office said in a statement that they were notified by USCP about the incident.
“We are currently gathering more information regarding the circumstances of the arrest,” Morelle’s office said. “Our office is fully committed to cooperating with the investigation. As Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, Congressman Morelle is devoted to ensuring a safe and secure workplace for all.”
Back in 2021, another congressional staffer pled not guilty after being arrested for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun into the Longworth U.S. House Office Building.
During that incident, the USCP took approximately four minutes to lockdown the building and an additional eight minutes to locate the staffer after he had already passed through the metal detectors with the handgun.