Extremist Accused Of Plowing Through BLM Protest Faces Judge

LOS ANGELES, CA — A San Gabriel Valley appeared in court Thursday to answer to charges that he drove his truck filled with illegal weapons into a crowd of peaceful protesters at a Black Lives Matter march in Old Town Pasadena in May.

Benjamin Jong Ren Hung, 28, of San Marino, pleaded not guilty to one count each of conspiracy to transport firearms across state lines and making a false statement in acquisition of firearms. He faces five years in prison if convicted.

According to federal prosecutors, Hung, deliberately drove his white Dodge Ram — adorned with flags associated with far-right extremist groups — at the crowd of about 150 peaceful protesters who had been chanting, "Black lives matter here" on May 31. Police stopped the truck a short distance away and found a loaded semiautomatic handgun, multiple high-capacity magazines loaded with ammunition, an 18-inch machete, $3,200 in cash, a long metal pipe and a megaphone, according to the Department of Justice.

Protesters dove for cover as the truck accelerated, and no one was injured in the incident.

Trial was set for Dec. 8 in Los Angeles federal court.

According to bystander video and witness interviews, Hung's truck bore an Oregon license plate that read, "WAR R1G." It was also modified with an elevated suspension, large tires and an enhanced exhaust pipe, which expelled a large plume of black smoke as it accelerated into the crowd, according to the criminal complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court.

According to prosecutors and media reports, Hung used his family's vineyard in Lodi as a tactical training camp and gun range "to prepare for civil disorders."

Investigators allege he was part of a network of right-wing extremists stockpiling weapons in preparation for civil disorder. Hung and his associates "communicated regularly about his plans to stockpile firearms to prepare for civil disorders," the complaint alleges. The messages appeared to escalate in early March at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the far-right movement began to propagate the theory that the virus was a hoax, the document states.

One of Hung's neighbors in San Marino described seeing the defendant on multiple occasions "wearing military-like camouflage, military fatigues, and carrying a gray tactical vest," according to court papers.

Along with the vineyard -- whose business name is 157 California Reserve Inc. -- Hung's parents own and operate an RV park in Bend, Oregon, according to the complaint.

Last month, Hung was ordered to remain in federal custody pending trial.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.