On the heels of speaking to The New York Times about accusations of being an FBI informant who helped incite the January 6 Capitol Hill riot, Arizona man Ray Epps has declined to answer questions about a 2015 criminal trespass citation he received in Pennsylvania—a matter whose resolution is unclear.
Speculation that Epps (full name James Ray Epps Sr.) may be a “fed” has circulated ever since Revolver News published a two-part deep dive into him in late 2021. Revolver News questioned why Epps hasn’t been charged in relation to January 6, despite video footage showing him urging protestors to enter the Capitol on multiple occasions, as well as him talking to someone at the initial breach site right before that person began rushing the barricades.
While those questions persist—driven in part a lack of transparency by the FBI and DOJ on the matter—the Libertarian Institute has obtained records showing that Epps was cited for criminal trespassing in 2015.
The records don’t say much, nor do they explain how the case was resolved.
A Pennsylvania State Police report states that on Nov. 21, 2015, at 9:12 a.m. “[Epps] entered the victim’s private roadway despite seeing signs and knowing he was not privileged to do so. [Pennsylvania trooper Richard Williams Jr.] had to arrive and tell the accused to leave the property.”
The alleged victim’s name is redacted, and Williams Jr. could not be reached for comment.
The docket for the district in which Epps was cited suggests that the matter may be unresolved.
According to the docket, the citation was filed on November 25, 2015. However, the last filing on the matter—made on December 4, 2015—says, “certified summons undeliverable.”
Pennsylvania law says an arrest warrant may be issued if “a summons was mailed pursuant to Rule 511(A) and has been returned undelivered”—but this reporter could find no information suggesting that Pennsylvania has issued any arrest warrant in relation to this matter. The Libertarian Institute has filed a “right to know” request with the Pennsylvania courts and is awaiting a response.
Epps, for his part, refused to speak when reached by phone—initially telling this reporter to speak to his attorney, then hanging up when asked about him apparently not responding to the Pennsylvania court summons.
This reporter emailed and called Epps’ attorney, John Blischak, on July 13 for comment on the matter.
Epps’ attorney, John Blischak, said on July 14 that he’d have to speak to Epps before he could comment. Blischak was informed of the publication deadline for this article, but he has not responded further.
Blischak, a former FBI agent, said in January that “unequivocally, [Epps] is not an FBI informant.” Asked at the time whether Epps is an asset for any government agency—law enforcement, intelligence, or otherwise—Blischak said: “Not to my knowledge.”
Epps’ refusal to speak follows an interview he provided The New York Times, which was published July 13.
“I am at the center of this thing, and it’s the biggest farce that’s ever been,” Epps told the Times. “It’s just not right. The American people are being led down a path. I think it should be criminal.”
The Times reported that Epps and his wife have been searching for a lawyer to help them file a defamation lawsuit against several of the people who have spread the false accounts. The article doesn’t mention Blischak, who said in January that he hasn’t issued any demands for corrections or retractions to Revolver News.
The Times reported that Epps is in hiding.
“The truth needs to come out,” he reportedly said.
