Ray Epps, aged 61, has been officially charged with disorderly or disruptive conduct related to the events of the January 6 riots at the US Capitol.

The Department of Justice filed charges against Epps yesterday, alleging one misdemeanor count of disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds.

In a prior lawsuit against Fox News, Epps had foreseen this charge, suggesting that he expected to face legal repercussions for his involvement in the attack.

Epps’ legal action, filed in July, asserted that he became the target of various conspiracy theories following statements made by the network’s former host, Tucker Carlson, the Daily Mail reported.

Carlson, who was terminated in April, accused Epps of being a “federal agent who helped stage-manage the insurrection” during an episode of his late-night show, Tucker Carlson Tonight.

This accusation stemmed from a video showing Epps encouraging others to join him in entering the Capitol.

The charges against Epps state that he knowingly engaged in disorderly and disruptive conduct with the intent to obstruct and disrupt the orderly conduct of government activities and official functions.

This behavior allegedly occurred in and around restricted areas within the United States Capitol and its grounds, where the Vice President was temporarily present.

Additionally, Epps is accused of impeding and disrupting the orderly conduct of government business and official functions, as well as attempting and conspiring to do so.

Notably, many individuals who were present on the restricted grounds have not faced charges unless they were involved in aggravated conduct, such as assaulting law enforcement officers or damaging property.

Epps had been captured on video encouraging people to proceed to the Capitol, and these charges are being brought against him several months after others were implicated in the case.

This delay has fueled speculation that he may have been an FBI operative sent to instigate the riot.

Written by staff