Fort Mill man faces 6 months for Capitol riot role

WASHINGTON — A South Carolina man pleaded guilty Monday in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump.

Paul Colbath, 65, of Fort Mill, is one of five South Carolina residents who have pleaded guilty to charges related to the disturbance, and as Channel 9 has reported, he’s one of 11 from the state arrested following the riot.

Colbath appeared by video before U.S. Judge Randolph Moss in Washington. He pleaded guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, a charge that carries a six-month maximum sentence.

He is to be sentenced April 6. Moss gave no indication as to how much time he will require Colbath to serve. “The one limitation I have is that I cannot impose greater than six months,” the judge said.

Colbath was arrested in October after a tipster contacted the FBI National Threat Operations Center to report that he “had been publicly bragging to friends and family” about participating in the Capitol riot.

He told investigators that he did not “assault” the Capitol building, but entered through an open door; when he saw the destruction inside, he said he knew it was wrong to participate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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