"Ray Epps Sentenced to Probation for Capitol Riot Involvement"

Ray Epps, a former Trump supporter targeted by a conspiracy theory alleging he was a government agent involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, was sentenced to probation for disorderly conduct. Despite pleading guilty and denying the false narrative in court, Epps and his wife faced death threats and had to go into hiding. The FBI initially declined to prosecute Epps, citing insufficient evidence, but right-wing media perpetuated the theory. Epps' lawyer highlighted the hardships faced by the couple, and the judge acknowledged this in the sentencing. The reason for the government's reversal in filing a case against Epps remains unclear.