WASHINGTON — A person focused by right-wing conspiracy theories concerning the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced on Tuesday to a 12 months of probation for becoming a member of the Jan. 6, 2021, assault by a mob of fellow Donald Trump supporters.
Ray Epps, a former Arizona resident who was pushed into hiding by loss of life threats, pleaded responsible in September to a misdemeanor cost. He acquired no jail time, and there have been no restrictions positioned on his journey throughout his probation, however he must serve 100 hours of group service.
He appeared remotely by video convention and wasn’t within the Washington, D.C., courtroom when Chief Choose James Boasberg sentenced him. Prosecutors had really helpful a six-month time period of imprisonment for Epps.
Epps’ sentencing passed off in the identical constructing the place Trump was attending an appeals court docket listening to because the Republican former president’s legal professionals argued he is immune from prosecution on costs he plotted to overturn the outcomes of the 2020 election he misplaced.
Fox News Channel and different right-wing media retailers amplified conspiracy theories that Epps, 62, was an undercover authorities agent who helped incite the Capitol assault to entrap Trump supporters. Epps filed a defamation lawsuit towards Fox News final 12 months, saying the community was accountable for spreading baseless claims about him.
Epps instructed the choose that he now is aware of that he by no means ought to have believed the lies a few stolen election that Trump and his allies instructed and that Fox News broadcast.
“I’ve realized that fact is just not at all times discovered within the locations that I used to belief,” mentioned Epps, who requested for mercy earlier than studying his sentence.
The choose famous that many conspiracy theorists nonetheless refuse to consider that the Capitol riot was an rebel carried out by Trump supporters. The choose mentioned he hopes that the threats towards Epps and his spouse subside to allow them to transfer on with their lives.
“You have been hounded out of your property,” the choose mentioned. “You have been hounded out of your city.”
Federal prosecutors have backed up Epps’ vehement denials that he was a authorities plant or FBI operative. They are saying Epps has by no means been a authorities worker or agent past serving within the U.S. Marines from 1979 to 1983.
The ordeal has pressured Epps and his spouse to promote their property and companies and flee their house in Queen Creek, Arizona, based on his lawyer.
“He enjoys no golf, tennis, journey, or different trappings of retirement. They dwell in a trailer within the woods, away from their household, mates, and group,” lawyer Edward Ungvarsky wrote in a court docket submitting.
The web-fueled accusations that upended Epps’ life have endured even after the Justice Division charged him with collaborating within the Jan. 6 siege.
“Worry of demented extremists has no obvious finish in sight as long as those that unfold hate and lies about Mr. Epps don’t converse loudly and publicly to appropriate the messaging they delivered,” Epps’ lawyer wrote.
Epps pleaded responsible to disorderly conduct on restricted grounds, a cost punishable by a most of 1 12 months behind bars.
A prosecutor, Michael Gordon, mentioned Epps does not need to be inundated with loss of life threats however ought to serve jail time for his conduct on Jan. 6.
“He did not begin the riot. He made it worse.” Gordon instructed the choose.
Epps’ lawyer sought six months of probation with none jail time. Ungvarsky says his consumer went to Washington on Jan. 6 to peacefully protest the certification of the Electoral School vote for Joe Biden, a Democrat, over Trump, a Republican.
“You are by no means going to see Mr. Epps commit a criminal offense once more,” the protection lawyer mentioned.
Prosecutors say Epps inspired the mob to storm the Capitol, helped different rioters push a big metal-framed signal into a gaggle of officers and took part in “a rugby scrum-like group effort” to push previous a line of cops.
“Even when Epps didn’t bodily contact legislation enforcement officers or go inside the constructing, he undoubtedly engaged in collective aggressive conduct,” Assistant U.S. Legal professional Michael Gordon wrote in a court docket submitting.
Epps surrendered to the FBI two days after the riot after studying that brokers have been attempting to establish him. He agreed to be interviewed by FBI brokers in addition to by the Home committee that investigated the Jan. 6 rebel.
The federal government initially declined to prosecute Epps in 2021 after the FBI investigated his conduct on Jan. 6 and located inadequate proof to cost him with a criminal offense, based on Ungvarsky. Epps is not accused of getting into the Capitol or participating in any violence or destruction on Jan. 6.
“Mr. Epps was one in all many who trespassed outdoors the Capitol constructing. Via the train of prosecutorial discretion, most of these individuals won’t ever be charged,” the protection lawyer wrote.
Greater than 1,200 defendants have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. Over 900 of them have pleaded responsible or been convicted after trials determined by a choose or jury. Roughly 750 rioters have been sentenced, with practically two-thirds getting some time period of imprisonment.
Epps as soon as served as an Arizona chapter chief for the Oath Keepers, however he parted methods with the anti-government extremist group a number of years earlier than the Jan. 6 assault.
Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and different members have been convicted of seditious conspiracy for plotting to cease the peaceable switch of presidential energy from Trump to Biden after the 2020 election. Rhodes was sentenced final 12 months to 18 years in jail.
Fox News hasn’t responded to messages from The Related Press looking for touch upon Epps’ lawsuit.
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