Epps used to be charged with a misdemeanor rely of disorderly and disruptive behavior.
September 19, 2023, 1:07 PM
Ray Epps, a former Oath Keeper member who turned into the target of Jan. 6 conspiracy theories unfold by many Republicans, has been charged in reference to the assaults on the U.S. Capitol.
The Justice Department charged Epps on Monday with a unmarried misdemeanor rely of disorderly and disruptive behavior in a limited space by the use of a legal information, which is incessantly a sign a defendant is ready to plead to blame.
Epps’ legal professional, Edward Ungvarsky advised ABC News he anticipates a to blame plea to the price.
Epps mentioned he went to D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021, to protest the 2020 election. Republicans accused him of being an undercover federal agent that advised supporters of former President Donald Trump to typhoon the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Epps had lengthy denied being an informant or federal agent, together with in testimony sooner than the Jan. 6 House choose committee. Epps, who labored as a roof repairer after he served as infantry within the U.S. Marine Corps, advised the House investigators that he by no means labored for the FBI.
He has since filed a defamation swimsuit towards Fox News and previous host Tucker Carlson for repeated segments spreading the conspiracy principle he used to be performing undercover, which he has mentioned ended in threats and harassment that upended his lifestyles.
Ray Epps, within the purple Trump hat, heart, gestures to others as other people collect at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.
Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times by the use of Getty Images, FILE
Carlson featured Epps in additional than two dozen segments, consistent with his lawsuit. As a end result of those prime-time experiences and Fox’s alleged defamatory statements, Epps won threats from Trump helps, consistent with the lawsuit. Additionally, Epps and his spouse needed to transfer from their Arizona ranch and now face monetary turmoil, the lawsuit says.
Epps famous in his lawsuit that he sought after a non violent demonstration on Jan. 6 and used to be “shocked and disappointed” at how the occasions of the day spread out.
“He had concerns about the election and believed it was his duty as a citizen to participate in the protest. But he did not believe violence was appropriate,” the lawsuit claims.
The Justice Department didn’t have any further feedback on Epps’ fees Monday.
ABC News’ Sarah Beth Hensley contributed to this document.
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