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Ray Epps

Ray Epps (born c. 1961) is an American former U.S. Marine and resident who owns a contracting business and became a central figure in the , 2021, breach of the U.S. due to widely circulated videos showing him urging supporters to enter the building on and 6. Epps was present on the grounds during the initial breach of restricted areas but did not enter the building itself, and he has stated his intent was to de-escalate tensions among the crowd. In September 2023, he was charged with a single misdemeanor count of in a restricted area, to which he pleaded guilty the following day; he received a one-year sentence in January 2024, avoiding prison time despite prosecutors' recommendation for up to six months incarceration. Epps' case drew intense scrutiny after he appeared on the FBI's Capitol violence "most wanted" list in early 2021 but was removed without initial charges, unlike many others involved, prompting allegations—amplified by former President and conservative media—that he was a provocateur or undercover agent inciting the unrest to entrap protesters. Epps, the FBI, and investigators have repeatedly denied any affiliation, with a 2024 Justice Department watchdog report confirming no undercover FBI agents were deployed to incite or participate in the riot. The disparity in his delayed charging and lenient outcome, contrasted with felony convictions for similar or lesser actions by over 1,000 others, fueled ongoing skepticism about , though Epps has described the accusations as having ruined his life, forcing him into hiding amid death threats.

Early Life and Background

Military Service

Ray Epps enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1979 and served until his honorable discharge in 1983. His four-year term involved duties, during which he received specialized training in riot and crowd control tactics. This period of service reflects the rigorous discipline and operational readiness typical of Marine roles, as evidenced by his completion of the enlistment with an honorable discharge, a status awarded to approximately 85-90% of personnel meeting performance standards without significant disciplinary issues. No specific deployments, commendations, or advanced ranks beyond basic assignment are documented in available records.

Civilian Career and Residence

Prior to 2020, Ray Epps resided with his wife, Robyn Epps, at Rocking R Farms in Queen Creek, Arizona, where they had lived for approximately 10 years by that point. The couple established the Epps Family Trust on September 15, 2011, associated with property at 20325 E. Superstition Drive, Queen Creek, AZ 85212. Epps co-owned and operated a wedding venue business at the Queen Creek property with his wife, managing the site and hosting events as their primary civilian enterprise before 2020. Public records indicate no additional small businesses, such as in construction or trailering, under Epps' name in Arizona during this period. Available data shows limited pre-2020 community involvement for Epps beyond the operations of the family-run wedding venue, with no records of notable civic roles or affiliations in Queen Creek.

Political Beliefs

Support for Donald Trump

Ray Epps voted for in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. Epps served as president of the Arizona chapter of the , a organization composed largely of veterans and personnel that engaged in border security patrols along the U.S.-Mexico frontier, activities aligned with 's emphasis on and national . His leadership role in this group reflected a broader alignment with conservative priorities on security issues that Trump championed during his campaigns.) In interviews following the 2020 election, Epps confirmed his support for Trump, stating he backed the former president's claims regarding the election outcome, though such views were expressed in the context of his participation in related protests. This consistency in political affiliation underscored Epps' motivations rooted in Trump's platform prior to subsequent events.

Views on the 2020 Election

Ray Epps articulated a conviction that the 2020 presidential election featured widespread irregularities sufficient to undermine its legitimacy, citing personal experiences such as receiving unsolicited vote-by-mail ballots addressed to unknown individuals at his Queen Creek, Arizona, residence. This aligned with claims propagated by former President Donald Trump and amplified by Fox News commentators, whom Epps later identified as key influences on his perspective. He regarded voting as a sacred process under a divinely inspired U.S. Constitution, expressing concern that ambiguities in vote counting—such as those alleged in battleground states—eroded public trust in the outcome. In late , Epps engaged in election-related discussions within his community and planned participation in protests against perceived , viewing the issue as a patriotic imperative to seek . His statements reflected reliance on and narratives questioning ballot integrity, rather than formalized audits or affidavits, though he echoed broader assertions of systemic issues like unverified mail-in votes. This stance contrasted with empirical findings from state certifications, federal court dismissals of over 60 challenges, and independent reviews—such as those by the , which deemed the election "the most secure in American history"—that found no evidence of irregularities altering results. Epps' belief in a stolen provided a causal motivation for his travel to Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021, where he anticipated events focused on addressing these grievances, as evidenced by his intent to join rallies demanding electoral recounts or investigations. In subsequent reflections, he attributed his pre-event convictions to "gullibility" fostered by trusted sources, though contemporaneous accounts confirm his active endorsement of fraud narratives as justification for public action.

Role in January 6, 2021, Capitol Events

Arrival and Initial Activities

Ray Epps traveled from his home in Arizona to Washington, D.C., arriving in advance of the planned protests, with video evidence documenting his presence in the city on January 5, 2021. He intended to participate in demonstrations against the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. On the morning of January 6, Epps was recorded near the amid gathering crowds responding to rally calls. As President Donald Trump's speech at the nearby proceeded from approximately 12:00 p.m. to 1:10 p.m., Epps moved eastward along toward the U.S. Capitol with the advancing group of protesters. Epps reached the perimeter shortly before the initial breach of outer security fencing around 12:53 p.m. at Peace Circle, where other individuals dismantled barriers and entered the restricted grounds. Video footage places him front and center during this early incursion onto Capitol grounds, prior to more widespread disruptions.

Recorded Statements Urging Entry

On the evening of January 5, 2021, at BLM Plaza in Washington, D.C., Ray Epps addressed a crowd of Trump supporters, stating in a recorded video: "I'm probably gonna go to jail for this. Tomorrow, we need to go into the Capitol! Into the Capitol! Peacefully!" Epps later explained in a congressional interview that he believed the Capitol Rotunda was open to the public that day, as it had been during previous protests, and intended the entry to occur legally and without violence to express dissatisfaction over the 2020 election results. The crowd's response included chants of "Fed! Fed! Fed!", but no immediate escalation to violence followed his remarks, with Epps emphasizing peaceful demonstration amid the gathering. On January 6, , multiple video clips captured Epps urging groups near the to enter the building, consistently stressing non-violence and the absence of weapons. In one recording, shortly after President Trump's speech at , Epps told supporters: "As soon as that speech is done, we go to the ... We're peaceful!" Another clip shows him directing a cluster of protesters: "We need to go into the building... to show that we're dissatisfied... peacefully. No weapons." These statements occurred as crowds approached barriers, with Epps positioning himself to advocate for orderly expression rather than confrontation, and footage indicates listeners moved toward the without initiating violence directly attributable to his words. Epps reiterated in subsequent that his phrasing aimed to channel frustrations into permitted assembly, distinct from the disorder that ensued elsewhere.

Physical Involvement and Claims of Non-Entry

Video footage from January 6, 2021, captured Ray Epps at the forefront of the initial breach of the Capitol's outer perimeter fencing shortly after 1:00 p.m., where he was positioned among the crowd advancing toward restricted areas near entry points. Epps remained in proximity to the Capitol's west side for at least 30 minutes following the perimeter breach, observable in recordings near areas where crowds attempted forcible entry, though he was not depicted engaging in physical violence against barriers or officers. In a text message sent to his nephew at approximately 2:12 p.m. on , Epps stated, "I was in the front with a few others. I also orchestrated it," referring to events at the . Epps later testified to the January 6 Select Committee that this message was boastful exaggeration, explaining he meant directing people toward the grounds rather than coordinating interior entry or violence, and denied any intent to incite unlawful actions inside the building. Epps has consistently maintained that he did not enter the building itself, asserting in interviews and legal statements that he remained outside and attempted to de-escalate aggressive behavior in the crowd. The Department of Justice investigation corroborated this by stating it found insufficient evidence of Epps entering the building, with no video footage placing him in interior spaces or documenting destructive acts therein. Despite his visible presence near entry points during the unrest, Epps was not detained by law enforcement on the scene that day.

Conspiracy Theories Alleging Government Ties

Emergence and Amplification by Media and Politicians

Speculation portraying Ray Epps as a operative emerged shortly after the January 6, 2021, events, driven by his high visibility in widely circulated videos where he was seen urging crowds to enter the building, contrasted with his initial lack of federal charges despite thousands of others facing prosecution. This online chatter gained traction in conservative forums and , particularly after the FBI removed Epps' photograph from its Capitol Violence around July 2021, following an interview with agents in March 2021 that yielded insufficient evidence for immediate action at the time. The theory received prominent amplification in early 2022 through political inquiries, such as Senator Ted Cruz's questioning of FBI Deputy Director during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on January 11, 2022, where Cruz repeatedly asked if Epps was "a fed" and cited videos of Epps encouraging entry into the the prior evening. Media outlets further elevated the narrative, with host dedicating segments to Epps' case, including a July 14, 2022, episode titled "The Curious Case of Ray Epps and the Committee," which scrutinized Epps' uncharged status amid footage of his actions and contrasted it with prosecutions of less prominent participants. Carlson revisited the topic in subsequent broadcasts, such as on March 6, 2023, questioning the Committee's handling of Epps-related video evidence and his differential treatment. These discussions highlighted Epps' prominence in incitement footage without corresponding legal consequences, fueling broader claims of by federal authorities.

Specific Evidence Cited by Skeptics

Skeptics highlight Epps' image appearing on the FBI's public "Seeking Information" webpage listing photographs related to the events, which was posted in the days following the riot and featured dozens of individuals identified through crowd footage, only for Epps' photo to be promptly removed after he contacted the FBI on January 7, 2021, without contemporaneous charges or arrest, in contrast to others on the list who were later prosecuted for felony offenses such as or obstruction. Video recordings from January 6, 2021, capture Epps at the forefront of the initial breach of grounds, where he is seen assisting in the removal of orange snow fencing and metal barriers erected for security, while also gesturing and verbally instructing nearby protesters to advance toward the building, actions juxtaposed against his own reported lack of entry into the structure and relatively unruffled posture amid escalating crowd agitation. Epps remained uncharged until , —more than 2.5 years after the events—despite the U.S. Department of Justice having initiated prosecutions against over 1,000 participants by the second anniversary of , with many facing swift indictments for comparable or lesser conduct on the grounds.

Counterarguments and Official Denials

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has stated that no undercover agents were deployed to incite or provoke violence during the January 6, 2021, events at the U.S. Capitol, with a December 12, 2024, U.S. Department of Justice inspector general report explicitly finding no evidence of undercover FBI employees present or informants tasked to encourage illegal acts. This report, based on reviews of FBI intelligence and operational records, identified Ray Epps as a private citizen without any agency affiliation. The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack concluded there was "zero evidence" that Epps had any federal involvement or acted as an agent, as stated by committee staffer Tom Jocelyn in an August 20, 2023, interview, following examination of witness testimonies, video footage, and communications records. Epps himself testified before the committee, affirming no prior or ongoing relationship with the FBI or other entities. In a , , 60 Minutes interview, Epps denied being an FBI informant or having any government ties, describing such claims as "a lie" and attributing his presence and statements to personal support for then-President and belief in 2020 election irregularities, without directive from authorities. These denials align with the absence of verifiable records, such as documents, pay stubs, or operational logs, linking Epps to federal agencies, as confirmed through FBI interviews and investigations post-event.

Legal Proceedings

Delayed Charging and Public Suspicion

The U.S. Department of Justice did not bring charges against Ray Epps for his January 6, 2021, actions until September 19, 2023, despite widely circulated video footage from that day showing him urging crowds toward the Capitol and discussing plans to enter the building the previous evening. In contrast, by mid-2021, federal prosecutors had already charged hundreds of participants for lesser or comparable conduct, such as trespassing without verbal encouragement of entry, often resulting in felony counts and pretrial detention. The Federal Bureau of Investigation examined Epps' involvement in 2021 and initially declined prosecution, citing insufficient evidence of criminal activity at the time. This prolonged gap, amid over 1,200 total charges by early 2023 for January 6-related offenses, amplified perceptions of disparate treatment and intensified speculation about Epps' status relative to other attendees. Congressional scrutiny further highlighted the delay, with House Republicans advancing a resolution of inquiry in late 2022 demanding documents from the Department of Justice and the President concerning Epps' interactions with federal agencies and any investigative decisions regarding him. The measure, reported by the House Judiciary Committee, sought specifics on whether Epps had been an or received leniency, reflecting lawmakers' concerns over in the Justice Department's handling of prominent figures in the events. Public discourse, including comparisons to the rapid indictments of individuals who neither entered restricted areas nor exhorted others to do so, linked the disparity to broader narratives questioning federal priorities and potential protections for Epps, though official explanations emphasized evidentiary thresholds rather than favoritism. By underscoring Epps as an outlier among thousands pursued aggressively, the inaction until 2023 sustained doubts about prosecutorial consistency without resolving underlying evidentiary debates.

Indictment, Plea, and Sentencing

On September 18, 2023, Ray Epps was indicted by a on a single count of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, related to his presence on the grounds on , 2021, without entering the building itself. This charge carried sentencing guidelines of zero to six months imprisonment. Epps entered a guilty to the charge on September 20, 2023, during his before Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg. In court statements accompanying the , Epps accepted responsibility for his actions, describing them as a mistake driven by in election fraud claims at the time. Epps was sentenced on , 2024, to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service, with no incarceration imposed, despite prosecutors' recommendation for the maximum six months in jail under the guidelines. Boasberg cited Epps's full acceptance of responsibility, voluntary surrender to authorities, and cooperation with investigators as factors warranting the below-guidelines probationary term, distinguishing it from felony convictions often applied to January 6 participants who physically entered restricted areas or engaged in more direct obstructions.

Post-Sentencing Developments Including Potential Pardon

On January 20, 2025, President issued a blanket for over 1,500 individuals convicted of offenses related to the , 2021, events, explicitly including Ray Epps among the recipients. This action fulfilled Trump's pre-inauguration pledge to grant clemency to non-violent defendants, though it encompassed a broad range regardless of specific case details or prior conspiracy allegations. The pardon nullified Epps's one-year sentence imposed on January 9, 2024, for disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building, effectively terminating any remaining supervisory conditions as of the issuance date. Federal pardons restore civil rights and forgive the offense but do not erase the underlying record, leaving Epps's conviction intact for certain administrative purposes while relieving him of further penalties. No appeals or additional legal challenges to Epps's original sentencing were reported following the probation term's initiation, with preempting any such proceedings by executive intervention. The decision drew mixed reactions, including criticism from some conservatives skeptical of Epps due to unproven theories of government affiliation, yet it aligned with the administration's policy of wholesale clemency to address perceived prosecutorial overreach in cases. As of October 2025, no further executive modifications or revocations have altered Epps's pardoned status.

Personal Consequences

Threats, Relocation, and Family Impact

Epps and his wife, , received numerous death threats after videos of his actions on , 2021, went viral and were amplified by conspiracy theories alleging federal involvement. These threats included direct , such as warnings to "sleep with one eye open," prompting the couple to go into hiding. The intensity of the threats forced Epps to sell their five-acre ranch and profitable wedding venue business in , which they had operated together. In May 2022, the family relocated to , initially residing in a small to avoid further confrontations and intrusions at their previous home. Family life was profoundly disrupted, with Robyn Epps describing in a letter to the court how the threats, fear, and uninvited visitors overwhelmed their household, leading to the uprooting of their lives and constant vigilance. Epps' grandchildren experienced at school tied to perceptions of his involvement. Epps has recounted a severe psychological burden, stating he relives the events daily amid the ongoing stress of concealment. The sudden of their business also inflicted financial strain, as the sale occurred under duress rather than optimal market conditions.

Defamation Lawsuit Against Fox News

On July 12, 2023, James Ray Epps filed a defamation lawsuit against Network, LLC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of (case number 1:23-cv-00761). Epps alleged that , through broadcasts by host and others, falsely depicted him as a federal agent or government operative who instigated violence during the , 2021, events at the U.S. , portraying these claims as factual assertions rather than opinions. He contended that the network published these statements with —knowing their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth—and sought compensatory and for the resulting . Fox News moved to dismiss the complaint in August 2023, arguing that Epps qualified as a limited-purpose due to his voluntary involvement in the highly publicized events, thereby requiring proof of under the standard established in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964). The network further asserted that the challenged statements, such as Carlson's suggestions of Epps's unexplained behavior or ties to federal interests, were rhetorical opinions and hyperbole protected by the First Amendment, not verifiable assertions of fact subject to liability. Epps amended his complaint in response, but Fox maintained that it still failed to adequately plead . On November 27, 2024, U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall granted 's motion to dismiss the case with prejudice. The judge ruled that Epps had not demonstrated that Carlson or acted with , emphasizing the stringent evidentiary threshold for public-figure plaintiffs in actions involving media commentary on matters of . No appeal was immediately filed, concluding the litigation.

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