It's known as the Ray Epps conspiracy theory. At the center of it is a former Marine from Arizona who on Jan. 6, 2021, rallied at the U.S. Capitol in support of former President Donald Trump.
But Epps is no hero to many on the far right. They have labeled him an agent of the deep state and an undercover FBI agent engaged in a false flag operation designed to inflame protesters to discredit Trump.
Epps said the claims, pushed by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and amplified by MAGA supporters on social media, resulted in death threats that forced him to abandon his business, sell his home and move out of state.
Epps is now fighting back and has filed a defamation suit against Fox News. Here is what you need to know.
Epps, 62, is a former chapter president of the Oath Keepers militia group in Arizona. He was in the U.S. Marine Corps before moving to Queen Creek and opening a wedding events venue business.
He previously lived in Las Vegas. He is married, a father and a grandfather. He describes himself as deeply conservative and a two-time voter for Trump.
Epps says the claim is untrue and the only time he worked for the government was as a Marine. He said he traveled to Washington, D.C., with his 36-year-old son to support Trump on Jan. 6.
In a video on the eve of the riot, Epps was captured saying, "We need to go to the Capitol." Other Trump supporters shouted back that he was a federal...
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