Epps, in the lead-up to Jan 6 was caught on camera saying, “We need to go into the Capitol” and texted his nephew on the day that he had “orchestrated it” as protestors breached the Capitol building that afternoon.
On Tuesday, federal prosecutors requested that Ray Epps, who was caught on camera telling people to go inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, receive only six months in prison for participating in the riot.
According to a 29-page filing court filing in Washington, DC, the US government has recommended the “…high end of the applicable guidelines range” of half a year in jail, a year of supervised release, and $500 in restitution after the Epps pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.
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View on XThe 62-year-old is scheduled to be sentenced on December 9. Epps, in the lead-up to Jan 6 was caught on camera saying, "We need to go into the Capitol" and texted his nephew on the day that he had "orchestrated it" as protestors breached the Capitol building that afternoon.
Prosecutors stated, “Such a sentence protects the community, promotes respect for the law, and deters future crime by imposing restrictions on Epps’ liberty as a consequence of his behavior, while recognizing his acceptance of responsibility for his crime, his efforts to deescalate conflicts between rioters and police officers, and his cooperation with the FBI and Congress.”
Court documents stated that the former US Marine and ex-Oath Keeper questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election and then encouraged people to march to the US Capitol and join the “mob” of rioters as they marched past barriers onto restricted grounds of the West Plaza of the UC Capitol.
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View on XThe documents noted that Epps helped others in a “group push” a metal sign against police officers who were trying to stop the crowd.“
According to prosecutors, Epps on five occasions attempted to “deescalate conflict and avoid violence between rioters and police officers.” Prosecutors added that he spoke voluntarily with the FBI and Congress, and expressed “what appears to be sincere remorse” for his actions and “the damage to democracy.”
Hundreds of the other 1,237 people who participated in the riot or walked into the Capitol have received harsher sentences after pleading guilty or having been convicted, including four of the Oath Keepers on a charge of seditious conspiracy, one of which was Stewart Rhodes, founder of the group, who was sentenced to 18 years in jail.
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