By Corinne Murdock |
Arizona’s infamous instigator involved in the January 6 Capitol invasion, Ray Epps, was sentenced to a year-long probation and a $500 fine.
Epps appeared for sentencing virtually on Tuesday before Chief Judge James Boasberg. The judge expressed hope that the sentencing would allow Epps, a former Oath Keepers Arizona president, to move past the incident.
“[You were] vilified in a matter unique to January 6 defendants,” said Boasberg. “[You were] the only one who suffered for what you didn’t do.”
Contrary to allegations based on video evidence of Epps’ actions preceding and during the Capitol invasion, both Epps and the federal government have repeatedly denied that Epps has ever served as a federal employee, agent, or source.
“Mr. Epps […] was not before, during, or after [January 6, 2021] a confidential source or undercover agent working on behalf of the government, the FBI, or any law enforcement agency,” stated prosecutor Michael Gordon in a September plea hearing.
In a response to the government’s sentencing memo, issued on Sunday, Epps denied that he assisted in the breach of the capitol in any manner. Epps characterized himself as “stuck” in the crowd of protestors pushing against the fence line.
“[Epps] is the victim of a conspiracy theory, not the propagator of one,” stated the response.
Various video evidence of Epps shows him urging and directing protestors to breach the Capitol the day before and day of the invasion, as well as entering the Capitol grounds after the fence barrier was pushed over.
In one video, Epps said something in the ear of another protestor, Ryan Samsel; seconds later, Samsel led the charge to destroy the first set of Capitol barricades and breach the restricted grounds. The rioters then toppled a second set of barricades to further breach the restricted grounds. Epps followed behind the rioters in both breachings.
Samsel told the FBI that Epps told him to “relax” and that law enforcement was “doing their job.”
The government’s statement of offense, issued last September, documented Epps’ actions as well. That statement also revealed that Epps claimed in a text to a family member that he “orchestrated” the breaching.
Two days after the Capitol riot, Epps called the FBI tip line to turn himself in after seeing his face on a Most Wanted list. Several days after that, the Arizona Republic interviewed Epps; he told the outlet that he was advised by an attorney not to speak about the incident and that he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
Federal agents didn’t arrest Epps despite his admission to them and media outlets of his involvement: instead, they conducted a second interview with him that March. Several months later, in July, the FBI removed Epps from their Most Wanted list.
Prosecutors then waited over two years to charge Epps for his role in the Capitol invasion. He was charged with disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds (Title 18 U.S. Code Section 1752(a)(2)). Epps pleaded guilty.
Epps told reporters in the summer of 2022 that he avoided arrest because he reached out to the FBI so quickly.
As of this report, Epps’ name wasn’t included in the D.C. Attorney’s Office list of the over 1,100 Capitol breach cases. Over 750 others have been sentenced so far.
11 other breachers arrested in Arizona were included on the list:
- Nathan Entrekin, sentenced to 45 days in prison, three years of probation, 60 hours of community service, and $500 fine;
- Andrew Hatley, sentenced to three years of probation and a $500 fine;
- Joshua Knowles, not yet sentenced;
- James McGrew, sentenced to six years and six months in prison, three years of supervised release, and $7,000 in fines;
- Felicia Konold, not yet sentenced;
- Edward Vallejo, sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and one year of house arrest;
- Micajah Jackson, sentenced to three years of probation and $1,500 in fines;
- Jacob Anthony Chansley, sentenced to three years and five months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine;
- Jacob Zerkle, not yet sentenced;
- Cory Konold, not yet sentenced; and
- Israel Mark Matson, not yet sentenced.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
