Federal prosecutors are recommending a six-month prison term for an Arizona man at the center of a right-wing conspiracy theory about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the nation’s Capitol.
Right-wing news outlets had amplified theories that Ray Epps was an undercover government agent who incited the attack.
Epps pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct in September.
His sentencing is next Tuesday.
Epps, a onetime Donald Trump supporter from Arizona, became the focus of a conspiracy theory that he was an undercover government agent who incited the Capitol attack. Right-wing news outlets amplified the conspiracy theory and drove him into hiding after the Jan. 6 riot.
Epps, who worked as a roofer after serving four years as infantry in the U.S. Marine Corps, has vehemently denied ever working for the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon said during Epps’ plea hearing in September that he was not a confidential source for the FBI “or any other law enforcement agency.”
Epps, 62, filed a defamation lawsuit against Fox News Channel last year, saying the network was to blame for spreading the baseless claims that led to death threats and bullet casings in his yard.
