Ariz. wife of Minuteman founder Chris Simcox alleges he threatened her, their children, police

Wife alleges Minuteman founder threatened family

PHOENIX — The estranged wife of a man who helped launch patrols along the U.S.-Mexico border accuses him of threatening to kill their family and any police who try to help.

Chris Simcox’s wife is seeking a divorce and alleges in court documents that he twice brandished a gun and threatened to shoot his family in late 2009 — four years after he helped found the Minuteman movement that drew thousands of anti-illegal immigration activists to patrol the border.

Simcox worked recently as an adviser to J.D. Hayworth, who is challenging Sen. John McCain in Arizona’s Republican primary. A Hayworth spokesman says Simcox is no longer affiliated with the campaign.

A judge in Phoenix ordered Simcox to surrender his guns and stay away from his family.