It looks like our justice system has taken a vacation. Ray Epps, the man who had been filmed encouraging people to storm the Capitol on January 6th, managed to dodge jail time. Instead, he basically ended up with a time out and had to put a nickel into the swear jar. All Epps got is a year of probation, a $500 fine, and 100 hours of community service. Talk about a slap on the wrist!
Epps, a 62-year-old ex-Oath Keeper, was a central figure in the Capitol breach, caught on camera multiple times trying to incite others to “go into the Capitol.” He even bragged to his nephew via text that he “orchestrated” the riot. Yet, despite all this, he gets off with probation? Seriously?
Interestingly, Epps was initially on the FBI’s most wanted list for the events of January 6th, but then, poof! He was suddenly dropped. This raised eyebrows and fueled theories that he might be a protected federal informant. Eventually, in September, he struck a deal with the Department of Justice.
And let’s talk about that deal. Epps pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds. The government recommended six months of incarceration, one year of supervised release, and $500 in restitution. But Epps’ legal team argued for probation only, citing his remorse and embarrassment. And the court agreed.
Now, I ask you, does this sound fair? While countless other non-violent January 6th protesters are still languishing in jail, Epps gets to walk free. It’s enough to make your blood boil.
But hey, what can we expect from a system that seems more interested in political posturing than actual justice? It’s clear that there’s a double standard at play here. If you’re on the right side of the political spectrum, you’re treated like a domestic terrorist. But if you’re a suspected federal informant, you get a pat on the back and a “better luck next time.”
So, there you have it. Another day, another miscarriage of justice. But don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll find some way to spin this into a victory for “law and order.”