Ray Epps, the controversial figure who was captured on video urging protesters to enter the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was charged on Tuesday over his participation in the Capitol storming.
Epps was charged with one count of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, according to court records shared on X, formerly Twitter.
Video of Epps calling for protesters to enter the Capitol was widely circulated in the wake of Jan. 6. Many Americans, including lawmakers like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), have questioned Epps’ role in the storming and whether the apparent provocateur was working for the FBI.
Epps previously addressed the videos in an appearance on CBS’ “60 Minutes,” saying, “I said some stupid things. My thought process, we surround the Capitol, we get all the people there. I mean, I had I had problems with the election. It was my duty as an American to peacefully protest, along with anybody else that wanted to.”
Host Bill Whitaker also asked Epps if “anyone from the federal government” or the FBI directed him on Jan. 6, 2021.
“No,” Epps responded.
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Podcaster Julie Kelly, who has closely followed the Jan. 6 trials, suggested the “lame single charge” against Epps “tells us everything we need to know about” the alleged federal agent.
“No obstruction felony? No civil disorder charge? Not even a trespassing on restricted grounds misdemeanor? Can’t even tell you the last time I saw an ‘information’ (misdemeanor version of indictment) for a J6er on a sole count. Not sure it exists but will check,” Kelly wrote on X.
“After a cursory review of DOJs J6 website, I can confirm that a single count information is exceedingly rare, representing less than 20. (J6 caseload is now 1,100). Of those, most are for ‘parading’ in the Capitol. I only found one case similar to Epps’,” Kelly said in a follow-up post.
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
