Klete Keller, a 3-Time Olympian, Pleads Guilty in Capitol Riot Case

Klete Keller, a 3-Time Olympian, Pleads Guilty in Capitol Riot Case

Klete Keller, a three-time U.S. Olympian in swimming, pleaded responsible on Wednesday to a felony cost associated to his position in storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 with the intention of stopping the certification of the Electoral School vote.

Keller was indicted on seven fees, however as a part of a cut price with prosecutors he pleaded responsible in United States District Court docket in Washington to 1 felony rely of obstructing an official continuing earlier than Congress. As a part of the settlement, Keller promised to assist legislation enforcement with any persevering with investigation into the assault on the Capitol.

Greater than 600 folks have been arrested in relation to the occasions of Jan. 6, however Keller was some of the recognizable, due to his 6-foot-6 body and the truth that he was sporting an Olympic crew jacket with “USA” printed throughout the again.

In line with his plea, Keller spent about an hour within the Capitol constructing on Jan. 6. He yelled expletives about Nancy Pelosi, the Home speaker, and Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority chief; took pictures and video; and “jerked his elbow” to keep away from legislation enforcement officers who have been attempting to take away him from the constructing, in keeping with the plea. He later destroyed the cellphone and a reminiscence card he had with him, in keeping with the plea, and threw away the jacket that had made him so recognizable.

No date for a sentencing has been set. The cost carries a sentence of as much as 20 years in jail, however the first Capitol rioter to plead responsible to the identical cost was sentenced to eight months.

Keller, 39, was a freestyle swimmer who competed within the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics. He gained 5 medals general, together with two golds in relay races, most memorably in Athens in 2004 when the U.S. males defeated the seemingly unbeatable Australians within the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

However Keller struggled to transition to life past swimming, in keeping with associates, household and former teammates who spoke with The New York Occasions. He and his spouse divorced and fought for custody of their three kids, and for almost a 12 months Keller lived out of his automobile. All through 2020 his social media accounts, since deleted, confirmed an more and more intense concentrate on politics and a robust allegiance to former President Donald J. Trump. Final November, when he was working for an actual property firm in Colorado Springs, he traveled to Washington for a pro-Trump rally referred to as the Million MAGA March.

Two months later got here the journey that led to Keller yelling within the Capitol rotunda with lots of of others. He was arrested the subsequent week, and has since been out of jail on a private recognizance bond. Keller has stated virtually nothing publicly in addition to just a few phrases in court docket, and Wednesday’s pleading was probably the most intensive account he has given about his actions on Jan. 6 and his cause for being within the Capitol.

Keller’s lawyer, Edward B. MacMahon Jr., didn't instantly reply to a phone message left on Wednesday.

Alan Feuer contributed reporting.

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