Former Marine Charged with Disorderly Conduct in Capitol Attack
Ray Epps, a former Marine and prominent figure in right-wing conspiracy theories surrounding the events of January 6, 2021, has been charged with disorderly conduct in relation to the attack on the US Capitol. The charge was filed on Tuesday in Federal District Court in Washington.
The charging document, although brief, accuses Epps of disrupting the orderly conduct of government business by entering a restricted area on the Capitol grounds on the day of the attack. Epps’s lawyer, Edward J. Ungvarsky, has indicated that his client is expected to plead guilty.
Epps’s involvement in the Capitol attack has been met with controversy and baseless accusations that he was part of a government scheme to discredit supporters of former President Donald J. Trump. The conspiracy theory gained traction after being promoted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and echoed by several Republican politicians. Epps, who had previously voted for Trump and owned a wedding venue, faced unfounded allegations that he was a secret agent of the federal government orchestrating the violence at the Capitol.
However, these claims were largely based on the fact that Epps had not been charged with any crimes, despite being captured on video encouraging people to enter the Capitol. He was also observed pointing others toward the building and entering a restricted area on the Capitol grounds. The charges brought against Epps now undermine the assertions of those who propagated the conspiracy theory.
Notably, Epps is one of the few individuals involved in the mob who did not physically enter the Capitol to face prosecution. Although videos clearly show him among the first wave of rioters breaching a police barricade outside the building, footage from later in the day depicts him attempting to calm the crowd and de-escalate tensions with the police.
The charges against Epps shed light on the complex and multifaceted nature of the Capitol attack. As the investigations continue, the legal proceedings surrounding those involved aim to bring justice and accountability for the events that unfolded on that fateful day.
