by Katie Bourque
Mon, December 2nd 2024 at 4:33 PM
Updated Mon, December 2nd 2024 at 6:25 PM
The Cannon House Office Building, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
WASHINGTON (7News) — A U.S. congressional house staffer was charged for trying to ammunition into a Congressional office building on Monday, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) has revealed.
38-year-old Michael Hopkins worked for Representative Joe Morelle. The Democrat congressman represents New York’s 25th congressional district, a northern part of the state that includes Rochester.
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At 8:45 a.m., Hopkins entered the Cannon House Office Building, according to the USCP.
When Hopkins put his bag through the X-ray security scanner, UCPS officers noticed a suspicious object resembling firearms ammunition. A hand search revealed four ammunition magazines and eleven rounds of ammunition in the bag.
Hopkins told the officers that he forgot the ammunition was in his bag.
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“In response to this morning’s incident, Mr. Hopkins is no longer employed by Representative Morelle’s office effective immediately,” Jo Stiles, Chief of Staff to Congressman Joe Morelle, told 7News.
Hopkins was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of ammunition, including one charge for possession of a high-capacity magazine.
