Prime Only Members-Only Article
reporter's notebook

Border Vigilante Has Another Hobby: Wild West Re-Enactor

Jeff Allen, Jim Benvie, Viper and Stinger share cigarettes while patrolling the US-Mexico border in Sunland Park, New Mexico on March 20, 2019. - The militia members say they will patrol the US-Mexico border near Mt.... Jeff Allen, Jim Benvie, Viper and Stinger share cigarettes while patrolling the US-Mexico border in Sunland Park, New Mexico on March 20, 2019. - The militia members say they will patrol the US-Mexico border near Mt. Christo Rey, "Until the wall is built." In recent months, thousands of Central Americans have arrived in Mexico in several caravans in the hope of finding a better life in the United States. US President Donald Trump has branded such migrants a threat to national security, demanding billions of dollars from Congress to build a wall on the southern US border. (Photo by Paul Ratje / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAUL RATJE/AFP/Getty Images) MORE LESS
|
June 11, 2019 5:56 p.m.

I’ve reported on-and-off this year on a group of border vigilantes that has made headlines for their mass “arrests” of migrants and asylum seekers, and for their unofficial ties to “We Build The Wall,” the GoFundMe-powered private border wall group.

Through that reporting, I discovered that one of the vigilantes, who goes by the moniker “Viper,” has a little-known pursuit on the side: Wild West re-enactor.

This is a members-only article
Small Team. Big Results.
We’re proud of what our small newsroom has accomplished and it’s not hyperbole when we say that without our members, none of this would be possible.
Free memberships available for students and those experiencing financial hardship.
Already a member? SIGN IN
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: