They are definitely not native and the state wishes we would all kill them when caught. They are invasive. However, I have heard that the armored catfish is actually not the same as a regula Plecostemus??? They look very similar but the Armored Catfish has big scales that are tough and larger then normal Pleco's.
We have them by the millions probably down here. Some that get pretty large. Bass actually eat the small ones according to our fishery managers. I keep looking for a soft plastic immatator lure for those bass.