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Ronald Colton McAbee
January 6th Defendant
Occupation
Incarcerated
August 17, 2021
Charges
6 Felonies, 1 Misdemeanor
Sentence
70 Months
Actions
Helped MPD Officer Andrew Wayte &
Tried to Save Rosanne Boyland
Donate to The Sheriff of J6
Colton McAbee is a patriot—not just any patriot, but a J6 patriot. A fellow American who stood resolute and steadfast in protecting our freedoms, he placed himself in the gap for the Constitution, for future generations, and for all of us. That stand came at a high cost, but after all this time, we celebrate a new chapter. Pardoned by President Trump, Colton is now free and rebuilding his life with the same courage and determination that has defined him. We are deeply grateful for the support that carried him through his challenges. Now, as he takes steps forward, your continued generosity can help Colton transition into this new season. Contributions will assist with ongoing needs, support his efforts to regain stability, and allow him to focus on healing and rebuilding.
Thank you for your generous hearts and thank you from the bottom of ours.
We are forever grateful.
The Real Story of Ronald Colton McAbee
Ronald Colton McAbee was in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, peacefully protesting in support of his country. He traveled there because he loves his nation and his fellow Americans. Colton is no different from most of us—a hardworking, hometown man who selflessly served in law enforcement for much of his adult life. Described by peers as caring, bold, and godly, Colton earned praise for administering life-saving aid on multiple occasions while serving his community. He saved the life of an imprisoned person twice and attempted to save a fellow officer on another occasion. These acts of selflessness reflect the stellar character of a man always willing to serve his community and country.
On January 6th, Colton’s actions were not criminal—they were heroic. A patriot who loves his country and respects others, he’s known to those close to him as kind, courteous, and fiercely loyal. Amid the chaos near our nation’s Capitol, Colton exemplified these traits. When he saw a fellow law enforcement officer in peril, he immediately stepped in to provide aid. Moments later, he rendered assistance to a fellow patriot, Rosanne Boyland, doing everything he could to save her in the midst of the turmoil. Tragically, Rosanne passed away, her life lost needlessly as she was continually struck by Metropolitan Police Officer Lila Morris while unconscious—a stark example of the egregious actions by some that day. Colton also witnessed women and elderly Americans being attacked with clubs and did all he could to shield them from the violence. Sarah and her family will always be proud of Colton’s courage and compassion on January 6th. This is the Colton they know.
For over two years, Colton endured an unrelenting ordeal—arrested on August 17, 2021, charged with seven counts, and held as a political prisoner within his own country. He faced harsh treatment: sleeping on floors in holding areas, assaulted while in custody, transported across six facilities, and subjected to prolonged solitary confinement. Sarah and her family were denied visitation for 597 days, seeing him only briefly behind glass after 26 months. On October 11, 2023, after a trial marred by bias and a 99.6% conviction rate for January 6th defendants in Washington, D.C., Colton was convicted on all counts—despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence, including testimony from an officer he helped that day. The prosecution even admitted Colton assisted those around him, yet the system sought to destroy a good man for upholding his oath and helping those in need.
But justice has prevailed. Pardoned by President Trump, Ronald Colton McAbee is now free and rebuilding his life. His spirit, unbroken by years of persecution, remains a testament to his character and resilience. The weight of “The United States of America versus Ronald Colton McAbee” no longer echoes in a courtroom; instead, it has been replaced by the triumph of truth and the support of countless Americans who stood with him. Sarah and her family are forever grateful for the outpouring of love that sustained them through this journey.
Today, Colton stands as a symbol of what it means to be an American patriot. His actions on January 6th—captured in video evidence—show him rendering life-saving aid to Rosanne Boyland and assisting police officers amid chaos. Though he can never erase the injustices he endured, Colton’s will and spirit continue to shine as a light for all of us. Sarah believes he and many others were chosen for a time such as this, their sacrifices awakening a movement to fight for justice and freedom. As Colton rebuilds, Sarah remains committed to speaking out for the January 6th patriots and their families, honoring the man she loves and the cause they share.
This is a cause we should all continue to champion. Watch the video below to see the immense good Colton brought to the Capitol that day—a true demonstration of American patriotism.
Ronald Colton McAbee Rendering Life-Saving Aid to Rosanne Boyland & Helping Police Officers
Timeline
January 6, 2021
August 17, 2021
September 8, 2021
September 21, 2021
September 22, 2021
September 24, 2021
October 4, 2021
October 13, 2021
October 18, 2021
Ronald Colton McAbee went to air his grievances with his government,
as protected by our Constitution.
After 223 days, Colton was arrested by the FBI in Nashville, Tennessee and his home was raided.
Colton was granted bond pending trial by Judge Frensley in the Middle District of Tennessee; however, the government appealed. The case was reassigned to the Federal District Court of Washington, D.C.
Colton was moved to a different County Jail in Kentucky.
Judge Emmett Sullivan called Colton a terrorist on record, in a bond hearing. The court went into recess without a decision.
Colton was moved to a County Jail in Oklahoma.
Colton was moved to a City Jail in Washington, D.C.
Judge Emmett Sullivan granted the government's motion to deny Colton bond, pending trial.
Colton was moved to a different facility in Washington, D.C.
December 21, 2021
August 1, 2022
August 11, 2022
Judge Emmett Sullivan finally put his ruling in writing after 69 days so that Colton could appeal his ruling on bond.
Trial was initially set for November 30, 2022.
Trial was then moved to September 25, 2023.
September 3, 2022
September 5, 2022
Colton's Reconsideration of Detention motion was denied by Judge Emmett Sullivan.
Colton was assaulted and attacked by DC DOC Lieutenant Crystal Lancaster for not wearing a COVID mask while going to take oral medication.
September 13, 2022
Colton was moved to a County Jail in Virginia.
October 17, 2022
January 17, 2023
Judge Emmett Sullivan was removed from the case and it was then reassigned to Judge Rudolph Contreras.
Colton's Reconsideration of Detention denied by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
February 24, 2023
March 7, 2023
August 25, 2023
September 25, 2023
October 2, 2023
October 11, 2023
February 29, 2024
March 6, 2024
March 7, 2024
April 16, 2024
April 18, 2024
Colton was moved to a City Jail in Virginia.
Colton was moved to a City Jail in Washington, D.C.
The trial date was moved again to October 2, 2023.
Colton plead guilty (not entering into a deal with the government) for one felony and one misdemeanor. This felony and misdemeanor was associated with him shoving MPD Officer Carter Moore in self-defense as Carter Moore assaulted McAbee with his police baton first.
Self-defense, nor defense of a third party is allowed in January 6th cases.
Colton's jury trial began.
A D.C jury rendered a verdict of guilty on all counts; 5 felonies.
Colton was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment (with credit for time served since arrest) and fined $32,775.65 in restitution.
Notice of Appeal was filed on Colton's behalf. His case will now be reviewed by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Colton was moved to a Federal Prison in Pennsylvania.
Colton was moved to a Private Prison in Oklahoma.
Colton was moved to a County Jail in Missouri.
April 23, 2024
Colton was moved to a Federal Prison in Minnesota
January 20, 2025
Colton was fully and unconditionally pardoned by President Donald J. Trump
Media
“What makes the government’s case weak is the fact that the videos actually exonerate Mr. McAbee of the very allegations made against him, and Mr. McAbee is motivated to appear for trial, take the stand and narrate those videos for [the] jury,” attorney William Shipley wrote in a May motion to have his client released from jail.
Despite audio and video evidence showing former Tennessee sheriff’s deputy Ronald Colton McAbee did not assault a police officer on the Capitol steps on Jan. 6 as alleged by prosecutors, a federal judge again refused the defendant’s motion to be released from the District of Columbia jail pending trial.
“I hold the police accountable every day,” McAbee wrote in his letter to the Boylands. “Her death, her murder haunts me. I tried to bring her back. I tried CPR but was pulled off of her. I am sorry that I failed. I hold myself accountable too.”
Bret Boyland said he does not want McAbee to feel responsible for Rosanne’s death. “We would like to thank him for trying to help our daughter Rosanne and attempting to get the officials there to do something,” Boyland told The Epoch Times. “He does not need to blame himself for anything. The Capitol Police and MPD are the ones that should be accountable.
Former Tennessee sheriff’s deputy Ronald Colton McAbee on Sept. 25 pleaded guilty to one Jan. 6 assault felony and one misdemeanor charge but will still go to trial on Oct. 2 on five other counts.
Mr. McAbee was seen on video swiping at or attempting to shove Metropolitan Police Department Officer Carter Moore after the officer pushed against Mr. McAbee’s broken shoulder at the mouth of the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace tunnel. Video also showed Mr. McAbee reacting in anger at officers after being struck on the head with a police riot stick.
Their Christian faith has been a key to keeping the McAbee's strong throughout the more than two-year ordeal—and for whatever time is yet to come before he is released from custody.
“As we say, this is bigger than all of us,” Ms. McAbee said. “So we’ve just continued to keep the faith and walk this tightrope because we know who’s in control, and the end is not here yet.”
U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) on Feb. 14 demanded that the director of the U.S. Marshals Service release body-worn camera video of the September 2022 assault of Jan. 6 detainee Ronald Colton McAbee in the District of Columbia jail. “I’m going to make it my personal mission, my personal mission, to use every subpoena power that I can get from this committee to get this footage,” Mr. Nehls said during the hearing.
A Jan. 6 prisoner had emerged from his cell without a mask. When it was all over, the jail was in lockdown and several inmates had been pepper sprayed, handcuffed, and thrown into solitary confinement. Inmate tablets were quickly confiscated, but not before several prisoners had time to send text messages, exposing the brutal truth of what happened.
“Since you’ve been in the Swamp Pit, you’ve been threatened, almost in a fight, almost stabbed, locked down, pepper sprayed [collateral damage],” McAbee wrote on his 28th birthday in December 2021, “and have been called a terrorist and racist.
“But know this young man, you are a hero,” McAbee wrote. “You stand for freedom. You do what’s right. You have nothing to feel ashamed about.”
Former Tennessee sheriff’s deputy Ronald Colton McAbee, referred to as a “terrorist” by a U.S. District judge in 2021, who tried to rescue a dying Rosanne Boyland at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, is considering a plea agreement that would stave off his October trial date.
Former Tennessee sheriff’s deputy Ronald Colton McAbee was found guilty on all five felony counts he faced before a federal jury in Washington D.C., including a hotly contested charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The jury verdicts came despite Mr. Wayte’s own bodycam video, in which Mr. McAbee said he was a law enforcement officer and offered to help Mr. Wayte to his feet.
Sarah McAbee called the verdicts against her husband “such an injustice.”
“It’s sad to say that I wasn’t surprised in a way, because of the other sentences that they have tried to give individuals specifically at the Lower West Terrace tunnel,” Ms. McAbee told The Epoch Times in an interview. “It’s disheartening because this man shouldn’t have spent a day in jail, let alone going on three years now.”
Ronald Colton McAbee, the former Tennessee sheriff’s deputy who tried to rescue a dying Rosanne Boyland at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was sentenced on Feb. 29 to nearly six years in federal prison for his conviction on seven criminal counts. Mr. McAbee was also ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol, a $610 special assessment, and more than $32,000 in medical bills of a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer injured outside of the Lower West Terrace tunnel on Jan. 6. The prison term will be followed by 36 months of supervised release.
