A federal judge dismissed the felony charges filed against Raymond Epps, a former Marine who participated in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, after video evidence showed him trying to de-escalate the tensions between the police and the rioters. Epps has since filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Tucker Carlson for spreading conspiracy theories that he was a federal informant and instigated the mob to storm the Capitol.
However, on Tuesday, Epps was charged with one misdemeanor count for disorderly conduct on restricted grounds on Jan. 6. He is accused of knowingly and intentionally disrupting the orderly conduct of government business and official functions by engaging in disorderly conduct within the restricted area of the US Capitol, where Vice President Mike Pence was present.
The charges against Epps suggest he plans to enter a plea deal, as he was charged by information and a virtual plea agreement hearing has been set for Wednesday, Sept. 20. His lawyer, Edward J. Ungvarsky, said in a statement that the case has been filed with the expectation of a guilty plea.
In an interview with the Jan. 6 committee last year, Epps maintained that he never intended to break the law and that the conspiracy theories surrounding him had torn his life apart. He also stated that as a former Marine with no prior criminal record, breaking the law was not in his nature.
Epps’ case gained attention after Tucker Carlson devoted a segment to it on his show, fueling the speculation that Epps was a government informant and suggesting that his actions may have been part of a larger conspiracy. This, in turn, has led to other right-wing circles, including members of Congress, raising Epps’ name during Congressional hearings about the Capitol riot.
Epps’ lawyer, Ungvarsky, also stated that Epps had filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News and Tucker Carlson for spreading false allegations about him. A representative for Fox News and Carlson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The false accusations against Epps have become widely accepted in right-wing circles, with even convicted rioter Dominic Pezzola invoking Epps’ name during his trial. Epps’ lawyer stated that the impact of these allegations has been devastating for Epps and his family, including threats to his personal safety.
Epps’ case highlights the dangerous consequences of spreading misinformation, especially in today’s politically charged climate. The dismissal of his felony charges and the filing of a misdemeanor charge raises questions about the validity of the accusations against him and the role of media in perpetuating these false narratives.
