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Josiah Colt, a 35-year-old resident of Meridian, Idaho could
face a sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to
$250,000, federal prosecutors said. They said that as part of
his plea agreement, Colt agreed to cooperate with the
investigation of the deadly attack.
More than 535 people have been arrested with taking part in the
Jan. 6 violence, when supporters of former President Donald
Trump smashed windows, fought with police and sent lawmakers and
Pence scrambling for safety in a failed bid to stop Congress
from certifying Trump's election defeat.
Prosecutors said Colt entered the Capitol and headed to the U.S.
Senate chamber, where he and other rioters forced their way past
police into the gallery not long after senators were evacuated.
He then entered the Senate floor and ran to a chair reserved for
the U.S. vice president, who sometimes presides over the Senate.
Colt subsequently posted a video on Facebook in which he claimed
to have been the first Capitol rioter to sit in a chair reserved
for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Prosecutors said Colt traveled to Washington with two other men
charged with riot-related offences who have pleaded not guilty.
While preparing to travel, Colt bought a helmet and a gas mask,
and that he and fellow participants also brought body armor, a
handheld stun gun, an expandable baton, walkie talkies, and bear
mace to Washington.
Prosecutors said Colt left his gun in his hotel but wore
protective gear when he went to the Capitol.
(Reporting By Mark Hosenball; Editing by Scott Malone and
Alistair Bell)
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